more than $70,000, a Supreme Court jury heard yesterday. ---- Page 2 COLLEGE STUDENTS WELCOMED EDC College students welcomed While enjoying the afternoon sun and cool summer breezes, the Bermuda College faculty yesterday welcomed its newest students.

The Convocation ceremony, which is held annually, brought together both faculty and freshmen in declaring and celebrating the start of the academic year. ---- Page 2 VISITOR ARRIVALS DROP TOU Visitor arrivals drop Tourism statistics for the first seven months of the year show more than a three percent drop in visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 1996. ---- Page 3 THUMBS UP FOR INCINERATOR TSH GVT Thumbs up for incinerator Good news has emerged from an in-depth environmental report on the effects of the Tynes Bay incinerator. ---- Page 5 BANK APPROVES DIVIDEND RISE BUC Bank approves dividend rise The Bank of Bermuda's board of directors have approved a nine percent increase in the quarterly dividend, from 22 cents a share to 24 cents a share, moving the annual dividend rate up to 96 cents. ---- Business, Page 10 STILL NO GOLD FOR GOLD CUP SLG Still no gold for Gold Cup The Bermuda Gold Cup will likely go ahead in October without a title sponsor, chief organiser Scott MacLeod said yesterday. However, thanks to Margent Aviation Reinsurance Group, who have recently agreed to become a presenting sponsor, organisers will once again bring the world's top professional sailors to Hamilton Harbour for a week of racing. ---- Sport, Page 21