Recreation, which is determined that the rift between the board and the beleaguered Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association is settled -- and soon.

The board publicly supports the notion of a Bermuda Cricket Umpires Union -- and in some circles it is felt that it initiated it -- replacing the BCUA for the 1994 season, which is due to begin on April 17.

The board and the BCUA have been at odds over a variety of issues in the past but the rift was never wider than after the BCUA argued the selection of George Francis to officiate at the ICC Trophy Tournament in Kenya.

Francis is an executive member of the new umpires union, and a number of former umpires and some who served with the BCUA last season have been enlisted.

But, at Government level, they are having none of it.

It is understood that department director Brenton Roberts spoke with BCBC president Ed Bailey yesterday on that matter, though there is no guarantee an ultimatum was given.

Bailey was not available for comment yesterday but Sport Minister Pam Gordon confirmed her department's position when referred to by Roberts.

"The only way they (BCUA) can be superceded is if they decide to disband as a group and decide not to participate in future years,'' said Gordon.

"We've checked with the BCBC to see if they have anything in writing and they do not.

"They (BCBC) are going to have to find out if the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association are still interested in functioning and if they are then the problem has to be sorted out. Our interest is strictly technicality and procedure.'' Gordon admitted the way the conflict between the two bodies is being handled is not helping the image of the sport. Last year, Government gave the board in excess of $100,000 in grants, including $90,000 for the International Youth Tournament in Denmark and approximately $25,000 for the ICC venture.

The department also gave the BCUA about $4,000 when it staged the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association convention here last year.

"We've made recommendations to the board that we do not sanction the way they've handled this matter and we suggested they go back and try to sort it out and come to a resolve,'' said Gordon.

"The onus is on them to prove to the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation that what they did is constitutional and that they acted within their power.'' The BCUA recently elected a new executive with Dennis Raynor replacing Randy Butler as president. It was a move seen by some that could ease the tension between the parties as Butler had previously been very outspoken on board policy.

Gordon added: "They cannot disband a whole organisation because of one person. We're not going to sit by and sanction this sort of thing happening.

"We've made them (BCBC) accountable and told them we would prefer if they sort this out in an amicable fashion.

"The BCUA is an intrical part of the BCBC.

They can't disband them unless they disband themselves.

"We are more than willing, if asked, to act as a mediator.'' Meanwhile, the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association had no official reaction to yesterday's disclosure that matches this season will be officiated by the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Union.

Vice-president Luther Wilkin said the BCUA had received no official confirmation of the formation of the group from the board and was consequently unable to make any comment.

The BCUA will hold a meeting tomorrow night at the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation at 7.30. All members are asked to attend.