over the progress of the scheme.

Glynn Shouldice, of TG International Investments Ltd, said he was confident a $100 million hotel will be built on the site of Par-La-Ville car park, but was wary of publicly trumpeting the deal.

"We have to be very cautious because the last thing we want and the last thing Bermuda can handle is another false start,'' he said.

"From our point of view it is 100 percent go, but there is always something that may come up.'' He said finance was committed for the project, which involves 140 executive suites and 19 apartments on seven storeys.

And he added that he was 95 percent certain that it would go ahead, with an announcement in the next few weeks. But Mr. Shouldice said he was wary to any unforeseen hitches.

Ground-breaking is expected to take shape next year, with construction taking two years.

SCHOLARSHIP OFFERE AWD MUS Scholarship offer Two young Bermudians have the chance to win scholarships for an exciting eight-week marine exploration course.

The $8,000 prizes are being offered by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute for the course in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, which is being run by the Sea Education Association.

The students will spend four weeks next summer on land at Woods Hole doing oceanography, nautical science and maritime studies.

They will then put the theoretical skills into practice on a research vessel at sea during the next four months.

The scholarship is open to students aged 17 or older who are enrolled in college.

As well as offering the young students a unique research opportunity, the course will also provide college credits.

The BUEI, which is offering the scholarships for the first time, is holding video screenings at the Institute at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on December 29 and 30 for interested candidates.

IT'S PARTY TIME ENT It's party time Bermuda's most famous cross-dresser will celebrate his birthday today with a party and one-man show at a Hamilton night spot.

Sybil Barrington -- aka Mark Anderson -- will go on stage at 11.30 p.m. at Studio 55 on Reid Street and he promises to delight the audience with his impressions and stand-up comedy routine.

The show follows two successful performances at the Clayhouse Inn on December 17 and 18, said Mr. Anderson, who invited the public to "bring their enemies and their loved ones''.

BUSINESS AS USUAL GVT Business as usual The General Post Office in Hamilton will be open as usual on January 1, 2000 from 8.30 a.m. to noon for mailing services only.

During this time all mail taken to the Hamilton office up to closing time will be post dated January 1, 2000.

The Parcel Post Department will not be open at this time.

All mail posted after 12.30 p.m. will be post dated January 4, 2000, which is the first normal working day after the holidays.

UNLIKELY PLAN PLN Unlikely plan Planning permission has been granted again for a tourism and leisure project that is unlikely to see the light of day.

Morgan's Harbour Investment Limited had applied to renew its approval recently in the hope that Government may allow it to re-enter the bidding for the Southampton Naval Annex site.

But shortly afterwards, Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister announced that MHIL were out of the picture for good.

A consortium involving local builder Alan Burland have been given time to pull a deal together for the land.