displays at Southampton Princess to Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness this week.

Arnold Cann, of Sunnyside Park, told The Royal Gazette he had collected 74 signatures on the petition over the past two weeks and believed other sheets were still circulating.

Mr. Cann earlier this month watched hot ash from fireworks at the hotel fall into his yard.

Residents, including Mr. Cann, complained that their roofs, cars and yards have been littered with fireworks debris from the hotel.

They have also expressed fear the debris could pose a risk to their health, particularly if it fell into their water tanks.

Mr. Cann has suggested the hotel move the displays to the old Naval Annex at Southampton.

"It is not that I want to have them eliminated,'' he explained, "but I want to have them relocated. Maybe at the Annex where it would be much more enjoyable for everyone.'' Southampton Princess general manager Manfred Timmel said while he understood the fireworks were "a nuisance to the neighbours'' the hotel had to cater to visitors.

"Southampton Princess is catering to the largest convention business on the Island,'' Mr. Timmel said earlier this month. "It is part of making the programme successful.'' He noted that fireworks became a problem last week because of the wind direction.

But Mr. Cann and Sunnyside Park resident Raymond Todd argued the fireworks had been a problem for years.

However, Mr. Edness said he was hopeful that the issue could be resolved in a reasonable manner.

"This is obviously a difficult issue,'' he admitted.

"The hotel feels it is essential to have them as part of a package for visitors. On the other hand, these fireworks seem to be interfering with the residents' lives.'' "The hotel should, if possible, hear the burden of the complaint,'' he noted, "and neighbours should hear the side of the hotel which provides employment for a number of Bermudians.''