Time.

It's something newly retired Mr. Willard Preece, 59, hasn't had much of for more than 40 years.

Ever since starting work in 1952 as an apprentice plumber at the Elbow Beach, he's been putting in 12-hour days.

Back then his major reason for taking the job at the hotel was that he disliked having to go all over the Island on jobs, because he was previously employed by a plumbing contractor.

"We had only the horse and carriage, and the train at that time,'' he said.

"So transportation was definitely a problem.

All that changed when he acquired his KK auxiliary cycle soon after, which was the first cycle imported into the Island that was capable of speeds in excess of 50 miles an hour with a few adjustments to the engine.

"I must confess I was a bit of a pack racer back then, but the Police started clamping down heavily on us,'' he recalled.

One of his parting gifts, was a sleek RC 100 motorcycle which Mr. Preece admits is a good way to travel now, especially when he is not driving his taxi.

After starting out as a plumber in what was then just the main building, Mr.

Preece became manager of the engineering department and then the superintendent responsible for troubleshooting.

That meant being on call and dealing with everything from electrical problems to water leaks.

A graduate of the Bermuda Technical Institute in the early 60s, Mr. Preece says the training he received there prepared him for all facets of his work whether it was welding, laying a pipe or fixing an air conditioner.

However, Mr. Preece says the closure of the Technical Institute and the failure of Government to replace it with anything comparable means that young Bermudians are denied an opportunity to get the necessary technical skills.

"I think that there has been a dropping off in interest in hotel jobs,'' he continued. "Some of that is due to frustration, but a lot of that is also due to management who are trying to do more with less staff.

"But young Bermudians have to maintain an open mind, take advantage of the opportunities they do have and apply themselves.'' As a member of management since 1962, Mr. Preece says he has witnessed a rapid Bermudianisation of the hotel's work force especially since 1968.

And the expansion of the hotel's buildings such as the swimming pool, the east wing and the centre section.

However of all the changes, those taking place in management are the biggest Mr. Preece added.

"The biggest change has been in management styles. When I became a manager back in the 60s, we had a meeting once every two or three weeks. But before I retired I was in meetings three times a day every day.

"But I've really enjoyed my time immensely, though if I had the chance to do it all over again I think I would have stopped a little earlier.

"One thing I do not miss is the constant worrying, 24 hours a day. Now, I don't have to worry about tomorrow or next week. I can just relax.'' I'M FREE! -- Mr. Willard Preece bids the Elbow Beach goodbye.