the last two years.

This news was announced recently by Education Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill.

Mr. Dill said the number of applicants for the National Education Guarantee Scheme dropped in 1995 from 257 to 199 out of which 115 qualified for loans totalling $736,000.

He said these figures were down from last year when $902,000 in loans went to 164 qualified students.

Mr. Dill said numbers were down because some of the students who applied for the fund last year had now graduated.

The scheme -- which is in its second year -- was introduced in 1994 when Government provided the initial $2 million investment to ensure no Bermudian student with potential would be denied further education due to lack of funds.

The loans are provided in conjunction with the Bank of Butterfield and the Bank of Bermuda.

Students have seven years to repay the loans.

TWO LAWYERS CALLED TO THE BAR LEG Two lawyers called to the Bar Two lawyers were recently called to the Bermuda Bar.

Ms Sarah Skinner, 30, works in Appleby, Spurling & Kempe's company law department.

She obtained her LLB at University College, London, and later went on to do her vocational bar course at the Inns of Court School of Law in London. She was called to the Bar in London last November.

Mr. Robert Bryant, 32, of Canada, is now practising in the corporate department at Conyers, Dill and Pearman, specialising in mutual funds. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at McGill University, Canada, and from there went on to the University of Toronto to obtain a Bachelor of Laws. Mr.

Bryant later attended Cambridge University where he received a Master of Laws.

TRUCK DRIVER HIT MOTOR CYCLIST CTS Truck driver hit motor cyclist A 26-year-old Pembroke man who struck a motor cyclist while driving his truck along Harbour Road was fined $400 yesterday.

Andrew Mitchell, of Mill Reach Road, pleaded guilty to driving without due care.

Police prosecutor Sgt. John Dale said Mitchell hit a man on a motor cycle while driving along Harbour Road on January 25, but did not stop. The victim was taken to hospital with road rash and a cut knee.

Although Mitchell pleaded guilty, he told Acting Magistrate the Wor. Edward Bailey that he could not recall hitting anyone and would have stopped to help them if he had.

MAN ROBBED NEAR MARINERS CLUB CRM Man robbed near Mariners Club Police are investigating a report of a robbery near the Mariners Club off Richmond Road, Pembroke.

A 34-year-old man told Police he was walking behind the club at about 11.30 p.m. on Thursday when four youths attacked him.

After a brief struggle, the man said, the youths took his back-pack containing clothing, a cheque book, and credit cards, before running off.

The man sustained slight injuries to his nose and arms, but did not require hospital treatment.

Anyone who can assist with the investigation is asked to contact Central CID on 295-0011.

MECHANIC USED UNLICENSED BIKE CTS Mechanic used unlicensed bike Riding a motor cycle without insurance and using a false licence plate sticker cost a 19-year-old Astwood Cycles mechanic $600.

Jason Cuoco, of Second Avenue, Devonshire, pleaded guilty to riding a motor cycle without third party insurance and with an illegal licence plate sticker.

Prosecutor Sgt. John Dale said Cuoco was stopped by a Police officer on Corkscrew Hill in Devonshire on June 22 when the officer noticed Cuoco's bike's licence plate sticker was out of date.

Sgt. Dale said the officer then discovered that the sticker did not belong to the bike and that Cuoco was riding without insurance.

Cuoco said he had found the sticker and used it and the bike because he was late for work.

Acting Magistrate the Wor. Edward Bailey fined Cuoco $300 for each offence.