force wants closed, it was revealed yesterday.

Police have objected to renewal of the liquor licence at the Clay House Inn, alleging a lack of control by manager Mr. Choy Aming and continual liquor licence offences.

"The many incidents speak for themselves,'' Police Chief Insp. Larry Smith said after presenting the Liquor Licence Authority with a report detailing eight alleged assaults and other incidents at the Clay House Inn in the past year.

"Between one year and the next the incidents have just continued to go on and on,'' Chief Insp. Smith said. "There is not sufficient managerial control.

"Obviously, this place is becoming a haunt for bad character to be developed, if there is no control to prevent it.'' But Mr. Aming said he employs as many as ten security officers when the North Shore Road, Devonshire nightclub is busy.

Some of the security at the nightspot is handled by the community club Khalfani, headed by P.c. Shannon Wolffe, Mr. Aming testified.

"We have two other Police officers on the team,'' he said. "We have a sergeant who sort of advises the security guys.

"He's not on the payroll, but he helps organise the security.'' When that revelation was made, Chief Insp. Smith remained seated, but said: "The Commissioner will find this interesting.'' After the Liquor Licence Authority adjourned until March 18 for a decision, Chief Insp. Smith said he was unaware off-duty Police officers were providing security at the Clay House Inn.

"I'm going to discuss it with my superiors,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

In highlighting the Police report, Chief Insp. Smith noted that in the alleged assaults, one person received stitches at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, one was an indecent assault, and another involved a knife.

There were also noise complaints, and Police are investigating a complaint about minors being served at the nightclub, he said.

Police also found the Clay House Inn was illegally closed on January 19, 20, and 21, Chief Insp. Smith said.

Mr. Arnold Francis QC, lawyer for the nightclub, noted that in many of the incidents Police cited, the complainant had asked that charges not be laid, and in another Police decided there was not enough evidence to lay charges.

Likewise, the alleged serving of minors has not been proven, Mr. Francis said.

When incidents have occurred, Mr. Aming and his security have dealt with them promptly, and "I don't know what more can be expected of the managers of these licensed premises,'' he said. "One can only deal with the events as they occur.'' He presented the Authority with numerous letters attesting to use of the Clay House Inn by charities and the agents who handle cruise ships that visit Bermuda. There was also a letter praising Mr. Aming from the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs.

"It is a Bermuda institution,'' Mr. Francis said of the club. "There must be some skill in a manager who builds an institution with that sort of reputation.'' The closure was for renovations requested by the Health Department, Mr.

Francis said. Due to a mix-up, Mr. Aming had already closed by the time his request for permission was filed.

Chief Insp. Smith said Mr. Aming was warned last year his liquor licence renewal would be opposed if incidents continued. "The objection this year should come as no surprise to the applicant,'' he said.

If the licence renewal is not denied, the Authority should consider restricting the 3 a.m. closing time.

Chairman of the authority the Wor. Will Francis, issued a warning to all nightclub operators. The panel is "very concerned'' about under-age drinking, he said.