a new two-year contract for the company's 250 hourly paid staff.

The contract will give workers 4.9 percent wage increases in each of the two years.

A prepared statement on the deal said the talks had been amicable with the two sides "looking forward to continuing this good relationship over the length of the new contract''.

The chief negotiator for Telco was Mr. Anthony Taylor and for the union Dr.

Barbara Ball.

The previous contract expired on March 31, 1992.

TALL ORDER GVT Tall order Marine and Ports officials are hopeful of finding dock space for a group of large tall ships soon to arrive.

The 300 foot-plus sail training ships, on their way to Columbus anniversary celebrations in New York, are heading for the Island while harbour bosses are busy dealing with the Newport-Bermuda yacht race and a full cruise ship programme.

The Italian ship Amerigo Vespucci is scheduled to arrive at Number One Shed, Front Street today but another vessel expected, the Norwegian Christian Radich has cancelled after developing engine trouble.

Monday will see the arrival of the three remaining ships. The Russian vessel Mir will dock at Ordnance Island, its sister ship the Kruzenstern will head for Dockyard, and the German Alexander Von Humboldt will berth at Penno's Wharf, St. George's.

TRAFFIC HAZARD CTS Traffic hazard Police found 54-year-old Urban Ned Fleming lying in the road and drinking while traffic backed up behind him, Magistrates' Court heard this week.

He was found resting on one arm in the middle of Khyber Pass, holding up the traffic and drinking from a bottle of vodka, Insp. Peter Duffy said.

When arrested he immediately got up and swore at the officers, smashing the bottle on a wall and violently breaking away.

Fleming, of Smiths Avenue, Warwick, admitted drinking in a public place, using offensive words and resisting arrest last Wednesday. He was placed on 18 months probation, concurrent with his current probation.

DRINK PROBLEM POL Drink problem Drinking and driving is a growing problem, latest Police figures reveal.

Statistics for May show that 39 people were arrested for impaired driving compared to 18 in April and 31 in May, 1991.

Only one of the arrested people was a female.

Police said 21 people failed the alco-analyser test, five refused to take it and 13 passed. The oldest person was 63 and the youngest 21. The most common age group among the people arrested was between 22 and 30.

More arrests occurred on Fridays than any other day of the week. Vehicles driven by the arrested drivers included 23 motorbikes, 14 cars, one truck and one taxi.

CAUGHT AT AIRPORT CTS Caught at airport Levi's jeans merchandiser Alan Pitts, of Seattle, USA, had his vacation ruined when he was caught with cannabis at Bermuda airport, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday. Pitts, 25, admitted possessing 1.6 grams of cannabis, with cigarette papers, on June 15, and was fined $300.

LICENCES GRANTED LIQ Licences granted Two cruise boats were given drinks licences by the Liquor Licensing Authority yesterday. Donald Roderick Morris, manager of the Reef Goddess was granted a licence, as was Miss Virginia Watlington, of the Elusive . The Elusive's licence was granted subject to life jackets being supplied.