Bermuda's new US Consul General Vin Gupta is set to take over at the end of January, it was revealed yesterday.

And outgoing US Consul General Robert Farmer will fly out of Bermuda for the last time in an official capacity on December 1.

Mr. Farmer -- due to speak at Hamilton Rotary Club today -- will make his last appearance as US Consul General on Thursday at a Thanksgiving Service at St.

Theresa's Cathedral in Hamilton.

He said: "I would guess Mr. Gupta would be here towards the end of January, but the wheels of Government sometimes move slowly, so I can't say for sure.'' Mr. Farmer, appointed by the Democratic Clinton administration more than three years ago, stressed that, contrary to earlier suggestions, Mr. Gupta was to be a full-time US representative.

He said: "He is going to be full-time. It's part of the accepting of this responsibility that you have to give up all your private and public responsibilities.

"Mr. Gupta will be totally devoted to the responsibilities of the Consul General.'' Mr. Farmer added: "He is a very fine man and I think he will be very well accepted here.'' Mr. Gupta -- an American of Indian extraction -- is a senior executive with American Business Information Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska.

He is likely to be the last US Consul General to use the official residence of Chelston, which sits in 14 acres in Paget.

The Royal Gazette revealed earlier this month that the US Government had put the mansion and grounds up for sale in a cost-cutting drive. A new, more modest, house will be bought for the use of future US Consuls General.

Mr. Farmer was due to be replaced at the end of August, but he was asked to stay on for a few months due to delays in getting through paperwork with Mr.

Gupta.

Mr. Gupta, who could not be contacted yesterday, will be accompanied by wife Crystal, a psychologist -- and Mr. Farmer said she also intended to make her mark in Bermuda.

Mr. Farmer said: "She hopes, I know, to volunteer her services helping battered women and children.'' Mr. Farmer said yesterday that he planned to return to Washington -- but did not hold out much hope of actually retiring.

He added: "I'm looking forward to retiring -- I have accepted a few appointments to boards of directors.

"But I've flunked retirement about four times already, so I'm not sure what will happen in the future.'' Mr. Farmer said: "I will also be talking to various colleagues in Washington to see if I can be helpful in any way.'' But he will be back in Bermuda for a bridge tournament in January and in February for a golf tournament at the Mid-Ocean Club.

Mr. Farmer said: "I'm very sad to be leaving -- I've had some wonderful experiences.

"It's been the best job I've ever had in my life. I've made many wonderful friends here and grown to love the Island very much.

"And I'm looking forward to many trips back to Bermuda.''