step into the row over the legality of the company's ownership structure.

Mr. Conyers would like to see a Government inspector appointed so that the dispute can be settled as quickly and as amicably as possible.

"Government is perfectly entitled, in this instance, to appoint an inspector because of the level of controversy involved,'' said Mr. Conyers.

"If the inspector found the company was in breach of the 60/40 ownership rule then the courts could be asked to sort out the company's bye-laws.'' But Financial Secretary Dr. Walwyn Hughes said yesterday that the Ministry of Finance had no immediate intentions of taking action, but did not rule out future intervention.

"We're obviously aware of the situation and are monitoring it,'' said Dr.

Hughes. "There are two opposing sides here and each party believes theirs is the right view.

"At this stage, Government has felt it appropriate to leave it to both parties to take advantage of the options open to them. That does not mean Government will never become involved.'' Mr. Conyers reiterated that rebel shareholders are prepared to fight the company's board of directors and majority shareholders all the way.

Mr. Conyers is taking the board and the company to court in a bid to prove that Cablevision is illegally owned and controlled by non-Bermudians in the form of Americans Allan and Bill McDonald.

He expects the initial hearing to take place in the New Year and said he expected a long and expensive legal battle.