In an odd twist in Magistrates' Court, the Crown has laid charges against the Old Town for polluting St. George's Harbour.

The move comes after years of sewage problems in the harbour and news in September that consultants would be called in to address the aging system.

Sanitation and sewage committee member, councillor Mariea Caisey told a public meeting during the summer that the consultants would be looking for the leaks within the town's system.

They would also check the conditions of the underground pipes in the Island's oldest permanent settlement.

Since August, there have been at least three occasions when sewage was inadvertently dumped into the harbour.

Also named in the charge sheet laid before Acting Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner yesterday was supervisor Alan Douglas, believed to be responsible for the town's physical plant.

Corporation secretary Nancy Hooper responded to the charge, pleading "not guilty''. Mr. Warner set the trial for May 17. And after Crown counsel Veronica Daley requested a mention hearing, Mr. Warner ordered the pair to return on January 28.

"I'm pretty sure you can't prosecute the Corporation. But anyhow,'' Mr.

Warner said before taking a quick look at the reporter's box.

The Corporation and Mr. Douglas each denied a charge they "did pollute the public sea water off Market Wharf contrary to section 34 of the Water Resources Act of'' on October 15.

Section 34 of the act reads: "Any person who, save under the authority of this Act or any other statutory provision, interferes with or pollutes or fouls any public water, commits an offence.'' The penalty for such an offence in a summary or lower court is $2,000, and there is provision for additional $100-a-day fines for continuing pollution.

A representative of the "body corporate'' can face charges of polluting.

At the start of the hearing, the seemingly perplexed magistrate said: "I don't understand this charge. Who is being prosecuted, the Corporation of St.

George's?'' Later, Mr. Warner said: "I don't know. The central government is prosecuting the local government. Whatever! I suppose you want me to put them on bail?'' Mrs. Daley replied: "No, that's not necessary, Your Worship.'' PARISH PAR