Now that the price of gas has reached over $1.33 per litre, and I am sure it will continue to rise, is it not time that we had self service pumps in Bermuda? I am sure that would help to bring the price down somewhat. I also think that we must find other ways to keep the ever rising costs in check instead of thinking that there is nothing we can do about it, and if it means doing some things for ourselves like filling your vehicle with gas, so be it.

SEEING IT AS IT IS Pembroke No time for tourists May 16, 2001 Dear Sir, This is an open letter to the Ministry of Tourism, and I hope that it will warrant a reply.

In the space of the past four weeks, I have met no fewer that three sets of tourists bemoaning the fact that their vacation was limited to three weeks.

The first couple would have liked to prolong their stay for a further two weeks, having found their guest house so friendly. They had no idea that they could have applied for permission from the Department of Immigration to extend their stay.

The second couple, two elderly ladies, were told that they could apply for an extension to their stay, but should not assume that permission would be granted. Of course they made their plans.

The third group, a family of four, would have liked to spend their summer holidays here, but were told that they could not plan on staying more than three weeks. They had not been told that they could apply for an extension.

What is the reason for this time limit? Are we actively trying to discourage tourism now that international business has become our main source of revenue? What is the reason for this absurd law that discourages the very people we want, those who would like to spend longer periods of time here, and have the means to do so? E. RABEN Paget A cruel society May 16, 2001 Dear Sir, Again a grisly story of a miserable end to another animal. I refer to the picture in yesterday's Royal Gazette of a Police officer bending over a dog, which had been discovered in the Pembroke marsh half-decomposed.

We are told that we are the third richest country in the world and yet children and animals continue to be subject to abuse. Yesterday's Royal Gazette was a testament to this statement on both fronts. The public is seemingly desensitised to the ever-repeated incidents of animal neglect and cruelty, which are symptomatic of the way this society as a whole is dysfunctional. Attitudes to children and animals are not unrelated, nor is it an either/or situation.

Any society, which is caring and nurturing of those creatures which cannot defend their own rights, will also be caring and nurturing of children.

Although this may seem like a superfluous statement, there are many in this Island who would place animal care at the bottom of the list "as long as the human needs remain unfulfilled''. Well many of those that find themselves in difficult circumstances in Bermuda, do so not because of outright poverty, but instead because of a life of over indulgence and self abuse, and these same individuals are often the perpetrators of some of the more repulsive acts of neglect and abuse of animals.

Any child, who grows up in a society where all animals are treated with admiration, compassion and respect, will adopt this behaviour, and will not take revenge on the defenceless and the weak. Any child that grows up in a family unit where domestic companion animals are properly socially integrated will learn the skills of responsibility, caring and nurturing from and early age, thus maturing to responsible, caring adults. A child that witnesses sustained social isolation of the dog tied up month in and month out, or neglect of an animal in need of veterinary care and allowed to die without proper professional help is doomed to becoming callous and neglectful.

No, rich as we are, Bermuda is a sick and, in many ways, selfish and desensitised society. Incidents like this are not the fault of the dog...just because it is a pit bull type. No one other than a qualified veterinary surgeon can determine the cause of death, and naturally only after a properly conducted post mortem examination and laboratory tests. Nor can one jump to conclusions about the dog being involved in an arranged dog-fight, unless one has an eye-witness account. This could just as easily have been a situation involving a tied dog, which was set upon by a roaming dog or dogs, and was defenceless. Irrespective of the way in which the dog received its injuries, it quite obviously did not receive professional care, which, if the bite wounds were all inflicted while the dog was still alive (only a professional can establish this), would have included: hospitalisation, continuous intravenous delivery of the appropriate antibiotics and treatment for shock.

Obviously those Government departments, and those societies, which hold the brief for responsible animal "ownership'' (I prefer to refer to it as custodianship) are failing us, and we must look for a new and all-inclusive approach to this perennial and growing problem.

DR. A.M. WARE-CIETERS Hamilton Justice in the ring May 13, 2001 Dear Sir, Recently I read an article about some bully boy being charged in Magistrates' Court, after a school bathroom brawl. The magistrate appeared to be offended by the case reaching his level and I have to agree.

When I went to school it was mandatory that every boy learn to defend himself in the noble art of boxing. I am not saying that there was any science involved, but at a certain time each year a ring was assembled. A man, whom every one in my age group will know, black and white, provided instruction. I will call him `coach'.

This instruction lasted for all of 30 minutes, then lots were drawn in the appropriate weight category and off we went. What we lacked in expertise was more than made up in enthusiasm.

On my part I did not hurt anyone and no one hurt me. That was until I drew a boy, for the purpose of the story, called "piggy'', who was four years my senior for crying our loud.

I instinctively knew that piggy was going to be a problem; perhaps it was because he owned his own gloves; perhaps it was his reputation as the class bully. In any event, as we went out to shake hands, I have him a glove tap and then hit him as hard as I could in the nose and beat a hasty retreat.

Around the ring I ran with piggy in hot pursuit. "Are you afraid of him?'' "Stand still and flight'' roared coach; "Are you a sissy? Fight, Fight!'' Of course I was afraid of him and you would be too, one look at his face with blood pouring down and murder in his eyes.

This went on for two rounds with me leading on points, one. The third round bell sounded and I rushed out to continue more of the same and slipped in a pool of blood. BANG! I went down and hurt myself, quite badly; "Get up,get up''shouted coach. "Are you kidding? "I am down and I am staying down.'' A TKO was awarded piggy and I got away intact. After that day piggy left me along.

During my life I have relied on a left jab and run like stink. In recent years, up here in the Somerset Combat Zone, I have been forced to augment speed with a large cedar stick. This was purpose built and named "Uncle Roland Jones'', after its creator, a famous Somerset craftsman. My understanding is that if you hit some things hard enough, "It will move''.

So there you have my recipe for a quiet school life. Let the boys box and let the teachers carry a big stick.

DOUGLAS C. ROBERTS Sandy's Parish Job on the line May 22, 2001 Dear Sir, I have to presume that Gregai Smith, who goes to great lengths, in her recent letter, to trash the efforts of Kim Swan to be properly qualified for his job will now fire her doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, fireman, policeman and anyone else who has spent years of study and hard work, in private time, to improve themselves.

In their place she will select someone who has spent no time obtaining a recognised qualification but thinks they know enough to do the job.

How loudly Grejai Smith would protest if, after 12 years of hard work building a business and reputation, she was in the same position as Kim Swan now finds himself, properly qualified for the job, but fired and replaced by someone who is unqualified for the job.

I wonder whether she would be able to `get over it and cherish the memories' if her family was forced into unemployment for no good reason. I don't think so.

PHIL CRACKNELL