unidentified yesterday.

The blue plastic, barnacle-crusted container, which washed ashore on Sunday, is now stored at the Works and Engineering quarry in Hamilton Parish.

Government officers and firefighters placed it there in what Police yesterday described as a secure container.

Police and firefighters went to the scene on Sunday following a report by a security guard at the base.

A Police spokesman said the container was slightly bigger than a steel beer keg and had "obviously been in the sea for some time''.

Firefighters wearing chemical protection gear placed the barrel into a larger container for safety reasons. It is to remain at the quarry until a decision regarding disposal is taken.

The base was officially vacated by the Canadian Forces on New Year's eve.

TEEN STOLE HELMET CTS A social inquiry report was ordered yesterday for an 18-year-old who stole a $59 crash helmet.

Earlston Tucker, of Ord Valley Lane, Warwick, admitted stealing from Wheels Ltd.

Magistrates' Court heard the offence occurred some time between August 1 and December 7 last year.

Prosecuting, Sgt. Rex Osborne said Police questioned Tucker in Ord Road, Warwick, on December 7. Tucker had with him a helmet. The engraving on it was partially "obliterated''.

Sgt. Osborne said Tucker told Police he had found the helmet at his house.

"The helmet had been stolen during the previous three months.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis adjourned the case until January 24, and bailed Tucker in the sum of $100.

ILLEGAL KNIFE CTS Police found a flick knife on a man in Union Street, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Officers approached Sidney Carl Pitt while he spoke to another person, said prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne.

The knife was in the self-employed painter's waist pouch, he told Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis.

Pitt, 44, of Harrington Hundreds, Smith's, was fined $250 after admitting possessing a prohibited weapon on December 7.

Mr. Francis ordered that the knife be destroyed.

CAVE SLIDESHOW ENV One of Bermuda's leading cave divers and explorers will put on a slide show tomorrow night at the Botanical Gardens.

Mr. Robert Power will show his collection of slides of the Island's caves at the Horiticultural Hall at 7.30 p.m.

He said the show would illustrate the history of cave exploration in Bermuda and give a summary of the flora and fauna to be found in them.

Also included will be shots of Admiral's Cave which lies near the controversial Wilkinson Quarry project.

Admission to the Bermuda Audubon Society event is free. Donations will be accepted.