Southampton resident John Nathaniel Darrell has called on the Governor to help settle a 40-year-old land dispute with Government.

But Lord Waddington has refused to get involved. The dispute, which has occupied most of Mr. Darrell's adult life, centres around nine lots at Sunnyside Park, Southampton and a piece of land at Riviera Estate in the same parish.

Mr. Darrell claims a Government "cover-up'' over land he alleges was stolen from his grandfather, Emelius Darrell, in 1962.

He further alleges Government deeds are in conflict with a 1953 sub-division of the properties and the Robert H. Clarke plan.

And over the years he has hired numerous lawyers and independent surveyors to support his claims.

In 1987 Mr. Darrell went as far as blocking a portion of Riviera Estate Road which lies west of his home. But a permanent injunction restraining him from such action was handed down by the Supreme Court.

Both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal have also rejected Mr.

Darrell's arguments concerning his right to the Southampton properties.

And his attempts to take his case to the Privy Council in London have proved unfruitful.

Therefore Mr. Darrell told The Royal Gazette he was relying on the Governor to help him put an end to the costly land battle.

"I'm just not doing this for myself,'' the determined middle-aged man, who has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees, said.

"This is for anyone who may find themselves in a similar position.'' In a letter dated September 30, 1996, Mr. Darrell told Governor Lord Waddington he wanted him to help him secure a meeting with Attorney General Elliott Mottley and Solicitor General Barrie Meade "so that the problem can be discussed and my side of the story can also be heard''.

But Lord Waddington said the matter was beyond his jurisdiction. In a letter to Mr. Darrell, he wrote: "I can see that you feel very strongly that you have been treated unjustly, but I cannot see how matters of this sort can be dealt with other than in the courts of the land. My duties are spelled clearly in the Bermuda Constitution, and one thing I certainly cannot do is, as it were, sit in judgment and usurp the powers of the courts.

"I know this letter will be a disappointment to you, but to accede to your request and meet you and your surveyor would be no kindness. I would be raising your hopes quite unjustifiably.''