The new interim director of the Department of Marine and Ports took up his post on Monday after arriving on the Island from his home in New Zealand.

Barry Copeland will head up the division for three years while director designate Francis Richardson is fully trained in the post.

The Minister said Mr. Francis had risen through the ranks of Marine and Ports after 25 years of service.

However, the promotion did not come without its share of controversy. Assistant director of the division Mike Dolding, who has held the post for five years and has been a member of the department for 23 years, is suing the Public Services Commission.

It is believed his grounds for legal action are that the proper hiring procedures were not followed, and, in particular, that the job has gone to a non-Bermudian over a Bermudian. Mr. Dolding, 53, has lived on the Island since 1956 and has status.

Yesterday, Mr. Dolding refused to speak about his legal action.

His lawyer, Saul Froomkin Q.C., would only say yesterday: “We have issued proceedings in the Supreme Court and they are returnable on March 13, when the other side will have to appear and we will get directions on how to proceed. I can say nothing else at this point.”

Last night, Dr. Brown welcomed Mr. Copeland to the Island and said he believed he was the right man for the job.

And when asked why someone from New Zealand had been hired for the job when Government was claiming it wishes to Bermudianise the workforce, he said: “We went world wide looking for somebody who fit our needs and, from what I have seen, we could not have found a better person at this stage in his career to help, to advise and to assist Francis Richardson in his new position.”

Dr. Brown said Mr. Copeland had not been given a brief to take the Marine and Ports Department into a new era or direction, but said he was fully aware of Government's desire to integrate the transport system.

The Minister added: “I don't know if we want to change the whole thing, but we think there are some edges that need to be smoothed and we do want to do more integration of the transport system. The user-friendly concept is now central for us. We wanted someone who was comfortable with integrating the system and he brings a wealth of experience.”

But Dr. Brown said he was unable to speak at length when asked why Mr. Dolding had not been given the post of either director or interim director.

He added: “I think Mike is doing a good job as assistant director and we appreciate what he is doing. The lawyers have it and when the lawyers have it, I leave it alone.”