resigning -- after just 21 months in the post.

Amid uncertainty over his reasons, Trust chiefs were quick to stamp on suggestions he had been fired.

Last night the ex-school headmaster seemed to be lying low, and could not be contacted by The Royal Gazette .

Mr. McKittrick hand-delivered his resignation note to trust president Mrs.

Patsy Phillips on Tuesday.

His resignation was accepted by the trust's 13-member council, which employs the director.

Yesterday Mrs. Phillips, also chairman of the council, was unable to shed light on why Mr. McKittrick was quitting.

But she stressed: "I can say this. He has not been fired. He has resigned.'' Mrs. Phillips said Mr. McKittrick, of Irish descent, would be leaving by the end of the month. No successor has been announced, and his position will be advertised.

Mrs. Phillips said Mr. McKittrick, a married man with children, had made "many contributions to the Trust.'' These included introducing a first ever policy book, and a document outlining aims and objectives.

He had also, said Mrs. Phillips, started the "delightful'' entertainment "An Evening With Aunt Elsie.'' The director holds a key position in the 4,000-member Trust, which was launched about 22 years ago and has rapidly expanded.

He overseas the administration of the Trust, and there is a team of maintenance men and officers accountable to him.

Shortly after taking over the position, Mr. McKittrick, said to be an outspoken man with a charming personality, was embroiled in controversy.

He was sharply rapped by Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira for criticising the widening of East Broadway. Dr. Terceira rebuked him for putting himself in an "awkward'' position by opposing the Trust's official stance.

The Trust, which manages a $1 million budget, is the largest landowner in Bermuda, bar the Government.

It owns around 60 structures, including many historic buildings of architectural importance.

The first director was Mr. William Zuill, who held the position around 20 years.