This is response to the Letter to the Editor from LWL which appeared in The Royal Gazette on Tuesday 13th March.

The writer asked why the traffic wardens give out tickets from Barr's Bay to Smatt's Cycle Livery which is outside the City. Contrary to a common misconception, the traffic wardens are actually employed by Government and administered by the Bermuda Police, not by the Corporation of Hamilton. Their "beat'' extends outside the City limits to areas such as Gorham Road (which is outside the City), Pitts Bay Road, the grounds of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and the Towne of St. George's. Furthermore, all revenue generated from parking fines goes to Government -- not the Corporation of Hamilton.

LWL inquired about who provides the residents of Lane Hill and Pitts Bay Road, both of which are outside the City limits, with special residents parking permits, and that is the Department of Works and Engineering. The Corporation of Hamilton does provide "residential parking permits'' but only for City residents.

Finally, on the issue of lighting along Pitts Bay Road, LWL, quotes me as saying that in light of the recent handbag snatchings, "the Corporation of Hamilton would assist Works and Engineering in the installation of lights along Pitts Bay Road''. That is not the case at all. Works and Engineering are installing attractive new lights along Pitts Bay Road without any assistance from the Corporation. LWL may have misread reports to the effect that although Pitts Bay Road is outside the City limits, the Corporation is helping to facilitate the installation of CCTV cameras in that area in an effort to reduce handbag snatchings.

ROGER J. SHERRATT Corporation of Hamilton Quizmaster was wrong March 26, 2001 Dear Sir, Please permit me through your column to inform the quizmaster(s) of the recently concluded School Quiz Competition that Panama and for that matter Central America are not part of the Caribbean.

Congratulations to CedarBridge.

RETIRED COLLEGE LECTURER Hamilton Parish A test of patience March 18, 2001 Dear Sir, What's the deal with the constant channel shuffle? It seems to me, Bermuda, that you are so concerned about education of your children (the only real CURE to your problems) that you should exert some pressure on the schleps at Cablevision, so that their bimonthly channel raffle includes some educational programming. You know how much neglected children like to watch TV, so give them something good to watch. At 5.30, you may be lucky enough to catch some of Sesame Street, if and when the infinitely more educational cricket is over. The only real Test Match going on is a test of my patience.

OSCAR, THE GROUCH Paget Everyone was a winner March 26, 2001 Dear Sir, In everything give thanks.

It gives me great pleasure to say many thanks to so many of Bermuda's youth.

I am referring to the members of the 16th Annual Quiz competition which was so excellently displayed on Saturday, March 24, 2001 at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

First of all congratulations to the Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Dennis Lister and all in his department who had anything to do with the quiz. Also to MP Milton Scott as Minister of Education and his dedicated team of workers for their help.

I see this as a positive step in moulding the minds and characters of Bermuda's youth. I do hope more of their friends will use this to follow suit and know that the Government of Bermuda is really determined to save our youth for they see the potential that only needs to be brought out.

Congratulations to Micha Fubler as captain of the winning team Cedarbridge Academy for their 240 points, true champions, all praise to their headmistress Ms Kalmar Richards and all her dedicated tutors and teachers for a job well done.

An extra special loud applause and thank you to my grandson Malik Weeks as captain of the Clearwater Middle School for their 230 points and achieving 2nd place.

Many thanks to the headmistress of Clearwater Mrs. Charlotte Ming and her dedicated staff.

Special thanks to Malik's mother Mrs. Terry-Lynn Weeks for her untiring efforts and many, many sleepless nights leading up to the finale of the Quiz - well done Terry and to all the tutors and teachers who so tirelessly stood by you and the team and alternates.

My congratulations must also go to your husband Michael Weeks who is a very strong supporter in everything that you do, your untiring drive of the team really paid off - 2nd place with 230 points very good.

And Malik who received the prize for not missing any of the questions -- congratulations.

In everything positive there seems to be something a little negative -- where did those questions come from at the final segment of the Quizz? -- the children and tutors seemed to have gotten lost -- not trying to work through the maze of the complicated questions, I ask whoever is responsible for compiling these questions be a little more realistic and down to earth next time.

Again to everyone even remotely connected with the Quiz -- congratulations. I remain LOIS L. WEEKS A very proud grandmother Show puts us on the Map March 26, 2001 Dear Sir, Now that the debate in the House of Assembly on the revitalisation of tourism is completed, I thought I might ask your indulgence in publishing this letter of appreciation to the Corporation of Hamilton for affording me the opportunity to attend the Masterworks Bermudiana Collection of paintings which opened in Toronto recently.

I was very proud to be present and to meet so many Bermudians. I would encourage all Bermudians, and their family and friends, who may be visiting Toronto, to make a point of seeing this wonderful exhibition at the University of Toronto.

We are most grateful to Mr. Tom Butterfield, and his brother Charles, to the Minister of Tourism, and to Mr. David White who made his beautiful apartment available to host the cocktail party prior to the opening. I would also like to thank the sponsors, and all those working behind the scenes to make this exhibition a first class show.

THE RT. WOR. LAWSON E.M MAPP. JP Mayor City of Hamilton Branch still exists March 26, 2001 Dear Sir, Please allow me an opportunity to respond to a recent letter signed `Former Reservist.' The writer asserts that owing to the revelations in the recent US Senate hearings (reported by The Royal Gazette the Bermuda Police Service Special Branch was `getting a bit too close for comfort and rather than risk any future embarrassing episodes, Special Branch had to go'. `Former Reservist' goes on to state that Special Branch was `liquidated'.

May I advise the `Former Reservist' and your readers that this assertion is inaccurate. The Bermuda Police Service Special Branch has not been liquidated - it still operates as an integral Unit within the Bermuda Police Service. The 1995 Bermuda Police Service -- Service Strategy was responsible for the re-organisation of Special Branch. Essentially, Special Branch was downsized to focus on its core business. The intelligence-related components of Special Branch were reorganised under a Specialist CID Division to provide more support to intelligence operations Service-wide.

Prior to 1995, the Special Branch provided vital operational support to the Service. I can assure `Former Reservist' and your readers that Special Branch continues to provide vital operational support to the Service today.

JONATHAN D SMITH Commissioner of Police (Designate) Folly from the Premier? March 27, 2001 Dear Sir, A thinking man can only come to the conclusion that either Premier Jennifer Smith is opposed to Independence or that she is simply waiting for John Deuss to tell her when would be the appropriate time to pursue it.

Either way, it's pure folly.

ROLFE PATTON COMMISSIONG City of Hamilton P.s. As to her recent comments on the issue they can only be viewed as patently absurd.