the Deputy Premier the Hon. John Irving Pearman announced yesterday.

Mr. Pearman said polling stations would be open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. -- longer than they would for a general election.

And they would target Bermudians who would be overseas on August 15 -- Referendum Day.

Mr. Pearman made his announcement to MPs at the House of Assembly.

"The Government hopes, Mr. Speaker, that these arrangements will make it more convenient for the registered voters of Bermuda to exercise their democratic right to express their opinion on whether Bermuda should continue as a Dependent Territory of the United Kingdom or become an independent country within the Commonwealth.'' Mr. Pearman said Government recognised August was a popular month for holidays, and this was the reason for advance polls.

He added the polls on Referendum Day would also be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

X MARKS THE SPOT FLY X marks the spot The US Department of Agriculture can no longer be accused of bias when it conducts random searches at Bermuda International Airport, a spokesman said yesterday.

As passengers move through the inspection area before boarding flights to the United States, one will be selected for a thorough search every 30 minutes, Ms Helena Gomez said.

Each half hour, the passenger closest to an "X'' taped on the floor will be singled out, she said.

The department always conducted random searches for items such as fruits, vegetables, plants and live birds, which cannot be brought into the United States without a permit, she said. Now, the searches will likely be more frequent and thorough.

The pilot programme, launched in April, is in response to the US Government's Performance and Results Act, she said.

THANKS FOR THE LILIES, SAY QUEEN VIP Thanks for the lilies, says Queen The Queen has sent Governor Lord Waddington a hand-written note thanking Bermuda for this year's gift of Easter lilies.

"Please convey my very real appreciation of the gift of Bermuda lilies which I received once again this Easter,'' the Queen told the Governor.

"The scent of them fills the rooms we live in here and all my family much admired them while they were staying here for the Easter weekend.

"It is one of the most encouraging sights to see these splendid flowers in April when everything here is struggling with frost and gales, and now lack of rain after too much earlier on! "So very many grateful thanks from us all.'' The Governor sent a copy of the letter, along with his own letter of thanks, to: lilies donor Mr. Joseph Pacheco of Devonshire; Agriculture and Fisheries official Mr. Kevin Monkman, who arranged to send the flowers; and British Airways manager Mr. Philip Troake, who had them flown to London.