with his child was bunkered by a security guard.

But dad was soon driven to even greater fury -- when he complained to bureaucrats.

They hurled at him a barmy bagful of eyebrow-raising regulations and rules.

And among the more mind-boggling -- the gardens are designed for the "psychological renewal'' of walkers.

"It's 1984 gone absolutely mad,'' the frustrated father told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"How far do you take all these rules? It becomes so ridiculous as to be farcical. Surely there must be some discretion.'' Dad's rage started after he took his five-year-old boy to the Garden's show ring. It was planned as a spot of putting practice for the young lad.

But an eagle-eyed security guard smartly stepped in and killed the family fun.

"We were told organised games weren't allowed in the gardens, which was absurd,'' dad exclaimed.

"All I was doing was giving my son some putting lessons. I chose the show ring because there were no flowers.

"In no way could this be called an organised game. It will soon get to the stage where you aren't even allowed to walk on the grass.

"Where does it all end? This is the thin end of the wedge.'' The disgruntled dad later took a swing at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

But more than 20 minutes of phoning failed to soothe, and left him scratching his head.

And now he is likely to fire his complaints at local MPs.

Yesterday Dr. Roberta Dow, the department's assistant director, mounted a strong defence of the rules.

She said it was important not to encourage activities like putting which could lead to children running all over the gardens.

And she claimed the security guard had acted according to the letter of the law.

"We would urge people to use alternative sites if they want to play games.'' She said rules were governed by the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986, and the Bermuda Parks Regulations 1988. Under the regulations any game or sport was forbidden.

"The Botanical Gardens is a very special area in our parks system,'' explained Dr. Dow, stressing there was no entrance fee.

She pointed out some activities were allowed in certain places in the gardens.

These included picnics and weddings, and "passive recreation.'' Running and jogging on the roads was also permitted, as well as walking throughout the gardens.

Dr. Dow explained "psychological renewal'' referred to the philosophy behind the gardens. "It should be a place where people can get in touch with nature, a place of peace.'' Dr. Dow pointed out the gardens also played an important role in "visitors' education.'' "They are a designated rescue centre for endangered plants,'' she added.