In paragraph three of my letter in today's issue (of The Royal Gazette ) there appears the following: "It is true that we are west of London, etc. etc.''.

This is the opposite of what I wrote which was: "It is true that were we west of London, etc. etc.'' It seems extraordinary that "we were'' was transformed into "we are''.

However, all is forgiven on the publication of this correction to our alteration.

PETER J. WILLCOCK Smith's Parish Let's stick together February 9, 2001 Dear Sir, There is a very familiar, yet uncomfortable saying in Bermuda, THAT BLACKS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GET ALONG; WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO STICK TOGETHER.

As negative as this may sound, we as blacks sometimes seem to struggle to prove that this is not true. I would like to venture to a whole new level. Why can't we as a COMMUNITY get along? Blacks, Whites, Portuguese and whoever else makes up our population here on the Island.

Let's start with what prompted me to write this letter. On Tuesday, February 6, I read "Letters to the Editor'' which is published in The Royal Gazette .

Someone wrote an anonymous letter entitled `We can't all be gardeners'.

It was a very short letter and it stated that "if all the Portuguese gardeners get up and go, who is going to do a decent job on our gardens.

Botanical Gardens is a prime example -- all the parks are a hit and miss.

Bermudians are not gardeners, they cannot even mow a lawn properly.'' Is this `Bermudian' (a pen name) for real? First, I was embarrassed by the letter and this emotion quickly turned to anger.

Bermuda is a place that constantly focuses on our youth, building self esteem and morale among our men around the Island and motivating them to become better men in our society.

Now here we have Mr./Mrs. Bermudian who, of course, didn't sign his/her name saying something so preposterous as Bermudians cannot even mow a lawn properly. There are five pages dedicated to landscaping in the yellow pages and I can state categorically that the firms represented include several Bermudians who are owners, gardeners and both skilled and unskilled labourers.

I have promised myself not to lower myself to this person's level and start chastising him and calling him names. I merely say this to Mr./Mrs. Bermudian "Please do not make statements about yourself and include ever other Bermudian''.

If you do not know how to mow your lawn then I do feel sorry for you, if you choose to hire the Portuguese because you feel they do a better job, then go for it, but you stepped over the line when you put all Bermudians into a category in which I feel you belong. I will reserve my right and choose not to name this category for the sake of remaining mature.

Places all over the world are in a state where motivating people is needed in a critical way. Bermuda is not different. Let's start to build up people's self esteem and stop writing letters to The Royal Gazette that send out the wrong message about our people. And just to set the record straight Mr./Mrs.

Bermudian, I have mowed many lawns in my day and mowed them well. Maybe I can teach you.

GREJAI S. SMITH Devonshire Numbers speak volumes February 7, 2001 Dear Sir, I have been silent -- I have been away.

The community at large is silent on the PLP's proposed Constitutional changes.

If the PLP is successful they will live to regret their inaction.

The UK Government should block the PLP's impetuous actions, but might well be distracted with their own election agendas, or a wish that this grand Empire will evaporate.

The PLP continues its campaign of silence, which is not surprising because we know that Colonel Burch does not care what we think (or know)! Jennifer Smith, the `Premier', stated that it was urgent to get on with the new boundaries, while latest Census information was relevant -- or words to this effect -- when will the Census information be completed? To answer my own question, which I usually have to do, I would guess by September 2001. So what is the hurry? What has inspired this letter was the very significant result of the petition organised by the UBP -- eight thousand four hundreds votes! This number is more than four times the difference in the number of votes gained by the PLP over the UBP in the last election.

Remember, the PLP got 53 percent to the UBP's 45.4 percent. One percent represents about 280 votes -- do the arithmetic?! The Colonel, who does not care, and the Premier who will not say, cannot assume thus 3,500 are the dumb blind UBP followers from Paget East and other UBP strongholds -- they are voters and hence the numbers are significant. Approximately 30 percent of the voters in this last `landslide' election.

Let us hope that Baroness Scotland pays attention -- numerically it's equivalent to a platoon in the UK with 12,000,000 signatures.

On a note of fear to express oneself in Bermuda, there should and must be more public commentary. I do not believe that I will be badly threatened because I speak out and sign my name.

I am a bit sarcastic and cynical in my commentary about the Colonel and the Premier, but they are dated and appointed, and must have thick enough skins to accept criticism not of their person but of their agendas -- their Constitutional agenda is sinister and wrong on conception, and will be wrong in result.

The further entrenchment of power in the hands of the Cabinet, whether under the PLP, the UBP or myself, for that matter, will not increase democracy.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick All stars no show February 7, 2001 Dear Sir, I have always felt that many of our young people who are doing positive things in the community do not receive the recognition they desire -- recognition that will encourage them toward self-motivation and excellence.

On Friday, February 2, representatives from the primary and middle schools turned out to play soccer for their respective teams in the All-Star Soccer matches.

The weekend papers reported on why the high schools were not represented and made mention of the games involving the primary and secondary schools. Radio news reports continued to highlight the reasons why high school students were not playing with a focus on the under-17 team.

Not once over the weekend did the newspapers, TV or radio media highlight what took place on BAA field that Friday night. By Monday morning the young people and the PE teachers were looking to see or hear results published.

Nothing! Imagine the let down to our young people who went out with such excitement, enjoyed the true spirit of competition, and received no accolades for their commitment. To date, almost a week after the fact, there has still been no coverage of their performance.

The West won in both the primary and secondary teams and the "show-down'' to victory was tense. Both teams played exceptionally well and our young people should be proud of their accomplishments.

To all of the coaches and PE teachers who helped prepare these young people for this event, I say well done.

And to our young people, I encourage them to continue demonstrating the spirit of teamwork despite lack of recognition. You did well! EDUCATOR AND PARENT Flatts The search is on February 9, 2001 Dear Sir, I write in the hope your newspaper can trace a long-lost friend, or somebody who may recall them.

My friend is Joan Bryant (nee Davey) who moved to Bermuda in late 1960 or early 1961 from Canada, with her husband John.

John becoming manager of a large electrical company (name unknown). Whilst in Canada John flew aircraft privately.

I know they had one daughter but of course there may be other children. Vital letters have been lost with their address in Bermuda and sadly we lost touch many years ago.

They may well still be in Bermuda or even returned to England but any information your paper may glean for me would be so appreciated.

Joan and I met through living at (Adisham?) and John came from Faversham both places here in Kent. John's mother was a Justice of the Peace in Kent.

Mrs. E. M. PENFOLD 94 LEONARD ROAD GREATSTONE, NEW ROMNEY KENT, ENGLAND TM-28-8RU