night accused organiser Mr. Terry Smith of harassing two title holders and withholding their prizes.

The Royal Gazette also understands that three of the main prize donors withdrew their support shortly after controversy over the contest erupted.

The contest has been troubled since 24-year-old insurance underwriter Miss Dianna Mitchell was crowned Miss Bermuda Islands on September 20, after what some considered a poor stage performance.

Miss Mitchell, who is in South Africa to represent Bermuda in the Miss World contest on December 13, beat out 19 other contestants.

Most of the 19 are now embroiled in a legal dispute with Mr. Smith over the judging procedures in the contest.

And while the contestants, represented by lawyer Mr. Philip Perinchief, said they have no axe to grind against Miss Mitchell, they have demanded an apology from Mr. Smith for "duping'' them and have called for a "fair'' system of judging next year's contest.

One contestant last night said Miss Tourism Bermuda, 18-year-old Shawnette Parris, and Miss Talent '92 and first runner up, 20-year-old Carol-Ann Williams, were still waiting to hear about their prizes.

But she said despite their efforts they have received no information from Mr.

Smith.

And she speculated that this was due to the young women remaining neutral in the legal wrangle.

"Due to the controversy and now due to a little personal vendetta, Mr. Smith, because he cannot touch us legally, is trying to frustrate the title holders so they will give up their titles,'' she said.

"The only title holder -- other than Miss Bermuda Islands -- who has received her prizes is Miss Photogenic and Miss Amity winner 21-year-old Annette Joyiens, because she left the Island shortly after the contest and was not here when controversy broke out. So he would not see her as a threat.

"As a contestant I can attest to the fact that everything we did was last minute.

"It was even rumoured that Miss Bermuda Islands was going to quit because a week before she was scheduled to leave for the Miss World contest, her wardrobe and ticket had not been purchased. Basically she is frustrated herself.'' Before being crowned, Miss Tourism Bermuda was promised a three or four-day cruise to the Bahamas, she said, and Miss Talent '92 was "supposed'' to go for a talent screen test with Jericho Entertainment Inc. in Orlando, Florida.

The dates of these events were left to the contest organisers' discretion, but the contestant said they were led to believe that the screen test would be this month.

The first runner up was also scheduled to represent Bermuda in the new Miss Wonderland Pageant in Honk Kong early next year.

But, the contestant said, Miss Williams has no idea of when the contest will be held.

She said neither Miss Williams nor Miss Parris have been informed about their itineraries.

But she said Mr. Smith has called them several times to find out if they have changed their minds about their neutral position.

"This, we understand, was done without his lawyer's knowledge,'' she said.

"And Mr. Perinchief sent a letter to Mr. Smith stressing that this was harassment and should not happen again.'' Mr. Smith's lawyer, Mr. Jerome Dill, yesterday confirmed this. But he refused to comment on any of the other accusations.

The 29-year-old new franchise holder also refused to comment on any of the claims.

He only said: "There's no reason why they should be making these comments.

The issue is between myself, the contestants, and my lawyer. They will be getting their prizes as promised. But I will not comment on when.'' Mr. Smith also said he did not know the date of the Miss Wonderland contest.

When asked to verify reports of prize donors withdrawing their support, he said: "You can use that information if you want but I'm not prepared to discuss that at this point''.

Mr. Perinchief could not be reached last night for comment on whether the contestants will take legal action against Mr. Smith.