I was encouraged to see your invitation to readers to let their opinion be known on the subject of unsigned Letters to the Editor. Please count me as one of your readers who would like to see an end to this practice. As the only local daily newspaper The Royal Gazette plays a powerful role in influencing public behaviour. By printing anonymous letters the newspaper sends a message of support for cowardly, deceitful, and often bigoted behaviours. These are hardly the qualities a responsible organisation should be identified with.

The argument that letters from persons employed in the civil service should have the protection of anonymity does not seem correct. People who choose to be civil servants should honour the terms of their employment like any other area of employment or be prepared for the consequences. Of course, if government departments did the necessary preventive work of keeping the public informed there would be less of a need for unauthorised leaks.

FRANCES EDDY Warwick Stop the fake names October 26, 2000 Dear Sir, You recently asked for your readers' views on whether or not Letters to the Editor should be signed.

Of course they should. Give us real people with real opinions on your letters page, not fake names who could be anybody, including yourself and your pet gerbil for all I know.

Real names would add a big dose of credibility to public debate in Bermuda.

They might encourage people to stop and think before spouting off. More importantly, they would serve as a daily reminder that a lot of good people have different opinions -- which is not only OK, but a very good thing.

I know it might make some people nervous about "repercussions''. As long as Premiers send nasty little notes to letter-writers she disagrees with, such fears are bound to continue. But hiding behind fake names encourages the bullies. Let's stand tall and proud, speak our opinions, and harshly condemn anybody who tells us we aren't entitled to do so.

As for civil servants and others who are under orders to keep their mouths shut -- well, we should fight for their right to speak their minds too.

There may be occasions when a pen name is necessary and valid, but I suspect they are very few and very far between. Pen names are just a bad habit we've fallen into. They may be comfortable and easy for the writer, but they are bad for the newspaper, and bad for society as a whole. Let's get rid of them.

Sign me, TOM VESEY Paget Writer's `hidden agenda' October 26, 2000 Dear Sir, You state that you have a policy that letters submitted under pen names should not contain personal attacks and yet you continue to publish letters from an individual who hides behind the pseudonym WATCH OUT FOR THE NATIVE! This person's malicious missives are nothing but attacks on the operators of the catamaran, the Restless Native and the writer should identify him/herself.

For the record, Kirk and Joan Ward run a superb operation and are wonderful ambassadors for Bermuda. The boat is always operated with the greatest skill and expertise and with complete regard for the safety of all water users. One gets the feeling that your camouflaged correspondent has a hidden agenda.

CHARLES WILLIAMS Sandys Parish Exhausted by job October 27, 2000 Dear Sir, There has been much coverage in the press recently regarding the poor working conditions and overcrowding at the Westgate Facility, but no article ever seems to refer to what "poor working conditions and overcrowding'' actually means for the Prison Officers who carry out this demanding and stressful job.

My husband is a Prison Officer, and for several months he has been working over and above his schedule, often for up to 14 days at a time. When he does have days off, he has received phone calls at home, requesting (and sometimes ordering) him to report for duty. He has also, on occasion, received phone calls requesting him to work a double shift (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) the following day.

He is a conscientious officer, but is physically and emotionally exhausted by the demands made upon him by the facility. Our family life is also suffering, as we cannot make plans or spend any quality time together.

The officers at Westgate are the unsung heroes of the judicial system, dealing with the criminals you and I don't even want to think about, and to disregard them in this blatant way is an insult.

ANN STEPHENSON Devonshire What are the reasons? October 27, 2000 Dear Sir, Everyone must have noticed how the Premier and members of Cabinet are avoiding the serious concerns that have been raised about the proposed constitutional changes. Rather than address the concerns, the Government's strategy seems to be to stall making any response until the House of Assembly reconvenes. As this is now upon us, will the Government use its majority voting power to force through the changes? All democratically thinking people should be asking themselves whether they can trust a Government that does not feel obliged to give reasons for changing the Constitution. Why is it that the Premier and her Cabinet have not attempted to persuade us that the proposed changes will enhance democracy and improve the government of Bermuda? Less representation in the House does not spell more democracy to me.

Are the reasons for the Government's proposed changes to the Constitution in the wider interest of all the people in Bermuda or are the reasons more self-serving? What are the reasons? Bermuda has a constitutional right to know! Somewhat bewildered, I say "the Empress has no clothes''.

HENRY J. COX Devonshire Conference needed October 27, 2000 Dear Sir, I would like to add my voice to those who have already spoken out concerning the need for a constitutional conference before any changes are made. There are many issues which need to be addressed and much thought needs to be given to any proposed changes. As a member of the public, I feel that I am not being informed about the long-term effects of the proposals that have been put forward. It leaves me with a very uneasy feeling that some of our basic freedoms are in danger of being lost. It was good to be able to go to the open meeting last night to hear some of the background to the whole picture.

Premier Smith says we do not understand Parliamentary procedures and how things are supposed to work, but a great number of us do. We are not stupid people and all we ask is that we be given ALL the facts and all of the truth of what is going on -- and a chance to properly assess such information.

I have been listening to the comments and speeches regarding the Opening of Parliament today and I just have one small observation. At risk of receiving a disapproving letter from the Premier, I would like to mention that in August, the Bermuda Government did not send Birthday Greetings to the Queen Mother because the person delegated to do that "was too busy''. That was OK because the Queen Mother has never visited Bermuda. Believe me, that looked great on the Internet. Today, because the Opposition chose to stage a boycott of the reading of the Throne Speech, they are deemed to have insulted the Queen.

There is a difference? DOROTHY E. KUHN Warwick Thank you animal lovers October 25, 2000 Dear Sir, Please allow me space through your letters column to express our gratitude to all those kind and sensitive individuals who rallied around to support us in dealing with unfortunate case of "Max'', or "Clyde'' as we know him. Cruelty cases of this nature are extremely stressful to deal with, not only because of the gruesome aspect of the injuries at the time of admitting the animal. There is also the emotional stress, which comes with having to monitor and nurture a patient through the most critical time of his recovery, uncertain if the outcome will be successful. Then of course there is the problem of coping with one's subconscious and inevitable difficulty sleeping.

We were all helped and comforted tremendously, by the many sincere calls, gifts of flowers, and cards of support. It is at times like this, that the forces for good in our Bermuda flood out the evil, which generated the will to commit such a barbaric and calculated act of cruelty.

My thanks is also extended to the photographers and reporters of The Royal Gazette and the Mid-Ocean , who handled their reporting duties with sensitivity and professionalism, and who clearly understood the wider ranging issues surrounding this case.

On a positive note, Clyde-Max is making progress by leaps and bounds, having put on 10 pounds in as many days, becoming very vocal, and interested in his surrounding. He has a loving and responsive nature. Yesterday he was recovering well from the second stage of surgery, which was necessary to restore his extensor tendons, all of which were severed, on his right hind leg. All of his other wounds exhibit first intention healing. Unfortunately, his left eye has lost its visual capability, but we were able to leave the eye in the socket.

There was a considerable amount of money donated towards the welfare of this poor creature. The accounting staff of the SPCA has professionally managed this fund. It has completely covered both the reward for the informants (which has already been paid out) and will be quite sufficient to pay for all his medical and surgical expenses. All those donations, which were dropped off at our Hospital, have been turned over directly to the SPCA who will then settle his final bill with us. Any questions with respect to the reward should be directed to Crime Stoppers.

A warm thank you also to all, who have offered a home to this patient, but please remember the many not-so-renowned adult animals, many of them pit bull cross-bred dogs, which languish month after month at the SPCA or at the various veterinary hospitals, waiting for responsible, caring, loving homes.

(We currently have four dogs needing a new home).

DR. WARE-CIETERS DR. JAN CIETERS & STAFF OF THE HANNOVER VETERINARY HOSPITAL Heartfelt thanks October 26, 2000 Dear Sir, Kindly afford me the opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to those who contributed to the recently held `Get Your Praise On' Gospel Concert at St.

Brendan's Hospital. First and foremost, thanks to God for the success of the concert. Despite the blustering weather conditions on October 14, 2000, this concert weathered a storm of a different kind through worship and ministries in each performance.

I publicly recognise the help of Stephen Darrell with the organisation of the concert.

Additionally, his friends Kenneth Cumberbatch and O'Brien Cartwright were at his side with all the needed equipment and set up. Our performers who gave of their time and praise included: The Bermuda Hospitals Board Choir, Connie Smith, Waverley Minors, Lesseline Willis, April Smith and Maria Batson.

The gracious Charmaine Burgess, practically blew into the venue and stepped into her role as Mistress of Ceremonies with conviction and familiarity.

Furthermore, we are gratefulness for the assistance and donations from Tulo Valley Nursery, Just Cleaners, St. Brendan's Facilities Management, Meyer Travel, Naomi Bean, Dorothy Burchall, Shirley Hill-Raines, Mikheah, as well as performers already mentioned.

In closing, our thanks is extended to those who made suggestions, to the churches which mentioned the event verbally and in print, and those who donated funds and purchased tickets for the cause. The concert was wonderful, truly uplifting and enjoyed by all present.

LINDA TROTT Director of Volunteer Services St. Brendan's Hospital