thanks to a $75,000 donation from former banker Donald Lines and his sons this week.

Mr. Lines and his sons' Brian and Scott -- who are the chairman, president, and managing director, respectively of Lines Overseas Management Ltd. -- gave the financial gift in response to the school's recently-launched fund raising drive headed by Saltus parent and businessman Fernance Perry.

All three Lines Overseas officers are also Saltus "Old Boys''.

And principal Trevor Rowell was overwhelmed by their gift.

"We are deeply moved by the generosity of Lines Overseas Management and by the ongoing support of the Lines family,'' he said. "We believe that their donation will prove to be one of the most important made to the school in recent years.'' The new lab will allow Saltus to install dozens of new computer terminals in what is now the school's administrative offices. It will replace the present senior school lab which has 30 machines.

Mr. Rowell said the administrative block was selected for the lab site because it was already air-conditioned, partially wired for a network, and guarded by an electronic surveillance system.

Renovations are scheduled to begin next year, following the relocation of the principal's office and other administrative offices to the old "Woodlands'' in the centre of the Saltus campus on St. John's Road in Pembroke.

Improvements in computer training was a major goal of the school's multi-million-dollar development plan, Mr. Rowell pointed out.

"The priority emerged from consultations with parents, teachers, trustees and alumni,'' he said. "All the discussion groups recommended that we forge ahead in information technology and the plan to convert the office area into a new lab was added into the case statement for The Saltus Appeal.

The Appeal, which has a $6 million goal, has gathered nearly $1.3 million in its "Leadership Gifts'' and is continuing with the solicitations of donations from the school's alumni, parents and friends, Mr. Rowell noted.

In addition to campaign gifts, Saltus recently announced that corporate support totalling $2.4 million will permit the physical expansion of both its Preparatory and Junior schools in the next two years.

Mr. Lines explained he and his sons were motivated to make the contribution because of their attachment to the school and "a belief in the importance in meeting the needs of the Island's business community in particular''.

LINKING THE PAST WITH THE FUTURE -- Lines Overseas Management Ltd. chairman Donald Lines, at left, hands over a $75,000 cheque for Saltus new computer centre to The Saltus Appeal chairman Fernance Perry, right, and principal Trevor Rowell.