late 1980s of warmer temperatures, according to the US Naval Oceanography Command Facility.

The "most exciting and unusual event'' of the month may have been the sighting of a number of water spouts off the West End on the morning of May 29, and at least one funnel cloud in the East End early on the following day, a US NOCF forecaster said.

"Solitary sightings of such phenomena are not uncommon but sightings of more than one on subsequent days is quite rare,'' the forecaster said.

The average daily temperature for the month was 73.2 degrees, or 1.8 degrees warmer than is normal for the month, US NOCF statistics showed.

The highest temperature in May was 81.3 degrees -- the all time high for May being 86 degrees, which was recorded in 1982 and 1988.

Above normal rainfall was again recorded last month -- 3.8 inches compared to the normal amount for the month of 3.2 inches.

PREMIER OFF TO WASHINGTON VIP Premier off to Washington Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan travels to Washington, DC, on Monday to give the opening speech at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' June meeting.

"This certainly is an affirmation of the position that we hold in the area of international insurance,'' said Registrar of Companies Mr. Malcolm Butterfield, who is a regular at NAIC meetings. "It's a huge audience.'' In addition to insurance regulators from around the United States, the quarterly meetings are attended by industry representatives, lawyers, accountants and other professionals involved in the insurance industry.

The June meeting is by far the largest, Mr. Butterfield said, because overseas insurance regulators are also invited.

WOMAN ON INDECENT ASSAULT CHARGE CTS Woman on indecent assault charge A Pembroke woman appeared in Magistrates' Court this week on charges that she unlawfully assaulted a young boy over a seven-year period.

The 36-year-old was charged with unlawfully and indecently assaulting a male under the age of 14 between October 26, 1983, and October 27, 1990.

The woman was not required to plead to the indictable offence and was released on $500 bail. She was ordered to have no contact with the youth.

The woman will reappear in court for mention on June 19. Crown Counsel was Mr.

Mark Pettingill.

USNAS STAFFER BANNED FOR A YEAR CTS USNAS staffer banned for a year A civilian employee of the US Naval Air Station was yesterday fined $350 and banned from driving all motor vehicles for a year, after he admitted impaired driving.

Police saw Raymond Creighton, of Radnor Court, Hamilton Parish, riding in an erratic manner from Court Street to Crow Lane on May 23, Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, said.

"Each time he stopped, they noticed he was unsteady,'' he said, adding that Police followed Creighton to Crow Lane where he was stopped.

Insp. Duffy said they also noticed that his speech was slurred, his breath smelled of alcohol and he was unsteady on his feet.

Creighton, who was suspended by the Navy for 60 days because of the offence, had 126 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

FOLK CLUB SLATES CALYPSO NIGHT CLB Folk club slates Calypso night The Bermuda Folk Club will be relying on local talent for their Calypso Night for Charity tomorrow evening.

Amongst the featured performers will be Mr. Erskine Zuill, Mr. Reuben McCoy and Mr. Tojo Philpot.

Anyone who is interested in taking part is welcome to bring their instrument to the Old Colony Club, or call Mr. Owen Burgess at 238-2831.

The show gets under way at 8.15 p.m. Admission is $5 and all proceeds, including a raffle, will be donated to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bermuda.