the Hon. Sir James Astwood said this week.

Giving written reasons for a decision announced earlier, Sir James supported the Liquor Licensing Authority's ruling to deny an application from Giant Foods, on Middle Road in Warwick. The grocery is almost directly opposite Warwick Academy.

Sir James said he believed the liquor authority's decision was "reasonable.'' "I do not think that the licensing policy of the authority should be to encourage the use of alcoholic beverages,'' he said.

Indeed, "if they had granted a license, this court may have had to seriously review the decision on appeal because reasonable objections were advanced to the authority.'' Liquor, he added, "should not be available for sale to anyone in such an important and sensitive district where young people are engaged in academic pursuits.'' The grocery is one of the few in Bermuda that does not sell liquor. Its previous owner refused to sell liquor for religious reasons. An application was made by its new owner Mr. George Whitecross who argued his business needed to sell liquor to be profitable.

Objections came from the school, some church officials and area residents. The school officials said a liquor outlet should not be so close to the school, with a wooded area close by where loiters could gather, drink, and possibly become a nuisance to passing students.

The liquor authority also expressed concern that Warwick Academy students, who use the food store, would come into contact with alcohol.