it was confirmed yesterday.

Brown said that he has instructed his lawyer, Richard Hector, to begin proceedings, which he hopes will save him his $41,000-a-year job.

There remains some doubt as to why Brown was fired but in a letter handed to him by second vice-president Elroy Ratteray from president Charlie Marshall on Tuesday afternoon terminating his employment after six years, mention was made to the former administrative assistant of "your recent actions, in particular, the change of the lock.'' It went on: "Further, some of your recent actions are outside the scope of your employment.'' Marshall, who has declined to comment about the legal action taken by Brown, alluded the following day that Brown's capabilities and not a personality clash was the reason behind the dismissal.

Brown is not happy with that explanation.

"I am bitterly disturbed to read where Mr. Charles E. Marshall stated I was not dismissed because of a change of lock but rather for incompetence, a situation that not one shred of evidence ever has been presented to any forum by anyone to substantiate such a character defaming accusation,'' he said yesterday.

"I attempted on December 21 to meet with the president to reconcile the differences that he appears to harbour. But he told me then in presence of association staff that anything I wanted to say I would have to say it to Mr.

Richard Thompson, the first vice-president.

"When I explained to him that what I wanted to talk to him about was of a personal nature -- his concerns in respect to me -- and could not be discussed with Mr. Thompson he informed me that I would have to speak to Mr. Thompson as he was turning over his duties as president to him.'' Marshall would only say last night: "I have no comment at all. Time will tell.''