heritage.

The Health Minister demanded an end to needless destruction or "mutilation'' of historic buildings.

And he said when changes were necessary they should protect the original design.

Mr. Edness also voiced fears about the lack of a Bermudian flavour in some modern architecture.

Several recent buildings in Hamilton were "pompous, ill-fitting, and graceless'', he declared.

"I can see the day in the 21st century when one of the important reasons why people will want to come to Bermuda will be our unique architectural heritage,'' he said.

Mr. Edness hit out during a meeting of the Architectural Association.

It followed a street chat with association members Mr. Bruce Barker and Mr.

Sjur Lindberg.

"I told them, quite truthfully, that I was worried about some of the new buildings going up in Bermuda,'' said Mr. Edness.

"I told them I thought we were losing the Bermudian touch, the Bermudian flavour, in some of our new architecture.'' Mr. Edness admitted he did not know much about architecture, but stressed he was entitled to an opinion. And he believed many shared it.

"I am what lawyers call the man on the Clapham omnibus. If you are artists, I am your public.

"It is to me you must sell your work, or you will not work.'' He added: "Simply put I am concerned about the destruction of our architectural heritage, and the future development of that heritage.

"We have developed, in our four hundred or so years of occupation, a unique and beautiful style of architecture.

"Like sea shells, the buildings which Bermuda developed are thoroughly functional and thoroughly beautiful.

"They are of Bermuda in the same way the shells are of the sea.

"The buildings which survive are virtually the only remaining testimony to the great skill of the masons and carpenters and designers, many of them slaves, who lived in Bermuda in generations past.

"In that sense, they are priceless treasures of Bermuda's heritage. But they are very much under threat.'' Scores had been demolished, or mutilated beyond recognition, said Mr. Edness.

He said one threat to the Island's heritage was the lack of the Bermudian character and style in modern buildings.

"I have especially in my mind some of those which have been designed and built in the last few years.

"I do not intend to be specific, because I have no wish to pick a fight with any individual.'' But Mr. Edness deplored the "pompous, ill-fitting, graceless three-dimensional investments'' which have sprung up recently in Hamilton.

Mr. Edness said he understood problems faced by architects, and that clients had the final say on design.

And he accepted many architects decorated buildings with Bermudian trappings, such as fanlights.

But he added: "I believe that the things which are essential to our architecture are its simplicity, its harmony with the nature of the place, its well-realised proportions, its understatement.

"It is very difficult for me to find one word which expresses Bermuda's style clearly, but if I had to choose, I would say that the essence of Bermudian architecture is its appropriateness.'' Mr. Edness said Bermuda had to rely on architects to be "our protectors.'' The Hon. Quinton Edness