arrived for the annual meeting of Britain's biggest bank.

But the paint-spattered banker quickly recovered his composure and told his assistant to hand over his own suit.

The embarrassed aide, wearing only his underwear, had to make a dash for the nearest chain store to buy a new one.

Sir John, whose bank owns a third of Bermuda commercial Bank, was unhurt and a few streaks of white paint on his forehead as he addressed the London meeting were the only signs of the incident.

A man was arrested for the attack but the motive for the paint-throwing was not know.

ELIMINATING LICENCES HASSLE TRA Eliminating licences hassle Ask Bermudian motorist what their most stressful time of the year is and many will tell you in earnest that it involves the annual pilgrimage to TCD to renew their vehicle licence.

Take a ticket and wait three or four hours has become the norm at Bermuda's most disliked public department.

It is no surprise that recently a complaints box has appeared at the centre's information desk, no doubt to give people something to relieve the boredom of waiting in line.

Now Colonial Insurance is offering motorist a way out, and will arrange for the relicensing of vehicles owned by their clients.

Mr. Bill Madeiros, the firm's business development manager, said: "Nobody likes the hassle of queueing up for a long time, particularly when they should be at work.

"We have come to an agreement with TCD whereby we send our clients' relicence packages to them and get them back within 24 hours. There is no extra charge and our clients can either pick them up from us or we can mail them to their address.''