as possible yesterday with the Upper House adjourning after less than two hours of debate.

They speeded their way through the Orders of the Day and even declined to cross swords during the Motion to Adjourn.

Perhaps the most contentious issue to be brought up was the second reading of the Private Bill, The Castle Harbour Redevelopment Act 1998.

The bill, which sets out a compromise deal for a multi million dollar renovation of the resort, sparked off a heated debate when it passed through the House of Assembly two weeks ago.

With no party whips ordering MPs to toe the party line, the bill had supporters and detractors on both sides of the House, with some Government MPs forging alliances with Opposition members.

The bill was eventually passed in the Lower House by 26 votes to ten.

But yesterday the bill was passed in the Senate after being easily steered through its second and third readings by Sen. Jeanette Cannonier (Ind), without a murmur from other Senators.

Also to be passed without a word of dissent were the Supplementary Appropriation Act, Police Complaints Authority Act, the Defence Amendment Act, the Mental Health Amendment Act and a stack of Private Bills.

And a fresh lease agreement between the Bermuda Land Development Company Limited and the Bermuda Housing Trust also got the seal of approval.

After the short session Sen. Lawrence Scott (UBP) said: "Today we were dealing with pretty straightforward stuff and the other side didn't seem to want to engage in any debate so there was nothing we could do about it except move it along.

"I don't know why they didn't want to discuss anything but I see no reason why we should prolong the process.'' The Senate was adjourned until tomorrow morning for what will probably be the last session before the summer recess.