public forum in Hamilton tomorrow.

The speakers' panel would include Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade, Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Mr. Alex Scott, and PLP Warwick East candidate Mr. Calvin Smith.

The MPs would be addressing Independence as it related to their shadow portfolios, while Mr. Wade and Mr. Smith would use "a broad brush approach,'' PLP spokesman Ms Paula Cox said.

"The decision about Independence must be made on the basis of full, frank and informed debate -- this is the Progressive Labour Party's position,'' Ms Cox said.

The party also believed the issue should be decided in a general election, not a referendum, she said.

The forum, first of a series of five "New Beginning'' public forums on Independence, is at 8 p.m. at the Leopards Club on Cedar Avenue.

FOUL PLAY NOT SUSPECTED OBT Foul play is not suspected in the sudden death of an American contract worker, Police said this week.

James Tiller, 48, who worked at the US Naval Air Station, was found dead in his Convict Lane condominium in St. George's shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday, a Police spokesman said.

He had failed to show up for work.

Nothing appeared suspicious about the death, but an autopsy was expected. The man had only been in Bermuda for three or four months. His wife lives in Virginia.

YOUTH FOUND WITH CANNABIS CTS The Senior Magistrate this week ordered a social inquiry report for a 16-year-old Pembroke youth who pleaded guilty to possessing 0.27 grams of cannabis.

Davon Michael Marson of Deepdale Road admitted the October 30 offence. Police Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, told the court that Police officers were at Footbridge Lane dealing with another matter around 11.20 p.m. when they searched Marson. They found plant material in his underpants that was later found to be cannabis.

Marson's lawyer, Mr. Myron Simmons, said that a social inquiry report would be appropriate because of his client's young age and also because it was his first offence.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis adjourned the case until February 28 and released Marson on $300 bail with one surety.

SLEEPING VISITOR HAS CASH STOLEN CRM A visitor staying at a Rosemont Avenue, Pembroke guest house had $280 stolen from her while she was sleeping.

She awoke around 6.30 a.m. on Sunday to hear a noise outside her room, a Police spokesman said. She discovered her handbag was missing.

The contents, minus the cash, were later found strewn across the patio of her guest room.