a regular house guest of tycoon Mr. Michael DeGroote.

That was one glimpse into the lives of Bermuda's super-rich residents given yesterday in Supreme Court.

Mr. DeGroote is in a legal battle with fellow multi-millionaire Marion MacMillan over the ownership of Perot's Island in Riddell's Bay.

Yesterday he was explaining why he has set his heart on Perot's Island, despite Mrs. MacMillan backing out of a $8.5 million sale.

He told how he often entertained at his former 27-acre Ontario estate, and at the 11-acre Florida property he still uses.

He has a substantial family, he said, and was used to entertaining "very important'' heads of major North American and European companies.

Mr. Thatcher has been his house guest on many occasions, he said.

Owning Perot's Island, with its 15-room mansion and guest quarters, would mean he could carry on traditional family gatherings and continue his business customs.

"It was very important to me in moving to Bermuda,'' he said.

Mr. DeGroote also told the court of a friendly breakfast meeting with Mrs.

MacMillan at the Princess hotel, before the deal was arranged.

This "get acquainted'' meeting was followed by a trip to Perot's Island where he discussed furniture and fittings with Mrs. MacMillan's advisers.

The court heard how she stayed at her office on the mainland, forcing lawyers to ferry back and forth to get instructions.

After the island deal fell through, Mr. DeGroote bought Evergreen, a luxury beachfront home in Paget, for $6.5 million.

The court heard from L.P. Gutteridge valuer Mr. Andrew Horsfield on the value of various ultra-exclusive Bermuda homes.

He said Evergreen has a market value of $4.5 million as "one of Bermuda's most desirable luxury residences''.

He rated it worth more than Burnt House in Warwick, though he said comparing the two was like putting a Maserati against a Rolls Royce.

Mr. Horsfield described Paget Hall, in the same category as Evergreen and Burnt House, as "splendid''.

Burnt House has an asking price of $5.5 million, he said, compared to Paget Hall's price of $7 million.

He said Wreck Hill, owned by film producer Robert Stigwood, suffered from its location in Somerset. And he described Lancashire Lodge, on Harbour Road, Warwick, as "constricted'' compared to Evergreen.

He added that the roughly $15 million recently paid for Castle Point, Tucker's Town, was above its market value.