when they came across a crowd of some 100 people completely blocking the road.

The gathering was centred around a number of fights which were going on simultaneously between several young men, some of whom were armed with makeshift clubs and bottles.

When one of the fighters threatened a Police officer, backup was requested and as more Police vehicles arrived, the combatants dispersed.

An arrest was made and the Police are investigating.

SUSPECTED THIEF FACES DRUGS CHARGE CRM Suspected thief faces drugs charge One of two men being arrested on suspicion of stealing made matters worse for himself when he tried to discard two yellow envelopes on the ground.

The pair were being ushered into the back of a Police car at Horseshoe Bay at about 4.30 p.m. on Thursday when an officer saw one of them throw the items away.

The envelopes were retrieved and the man denied any knowledge of their contents. He was then arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.

Police stopped a car swerving dangerously on Middle Road near Warwick Academy yesterday at 1.45 a.m. and arrested the driver after they found he smelled strongly of intoxicants and could not speak coherently.

SANDYS MAN REPORTS DAMAGE TO CAR CRM Sandys man reports damage to car A Sandys Parish man left his car on a job site on Thursday morning and returned that afternoon to find that it had been broken into and a significant quantity of cash had been removed.

Police officers from Eastern CID are investigating.

WARD IGHTBOURNE MAKES WAVES AT BAMZ APP MUS Ward/Lightbourne make waves at BAMZ Jack Ward and Brian Lightbourn have been appointed to the respective posts of principal curator and curator of the Island's Zoo and Aquarium, it was announced yesterday.

Director of Agriculture and Fisheries John Barnes said: "Both men bring a wealth of experience to their positions.

"Each represents a valuable combination of technical knowledge and understanding of Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo operations.

"They both have a strong customer focus and clarity of mission. I am confident that the organisation will thrive under their leadership.'' Mr. Ward joined BAMZ in June, 1992, as the curator of the Aquarium and Zoo.

Since then he has been in charge of redeveloping the facility, leading the North Rock and Australasia Exhibit design and construction teams.

Mr. Lightbourn joined BAMZ as an aquarist in 1990 and up until the recent promotion served as the facility's plant manager.

SCOTT TO RELEASE LITERACY STATISTICS ED Scott to release literacy statistics Education Minister Milton Scott revealed he will be releasing literacy statistics next week.

Sen. Scott said he will make public the results of literacy tests taken throughout the public school system, at a press conference being arranged for next week.

The tests, which assess reading and comprehension skills, were taken by students in June.

Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher earlier this month refused to reveal the figures, pointing out that they could not be released before the press conference.