For William deV. Frith, serving as Mayor of Hamilton as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, is merely a bonus to the post.

Elected as Mayor this past April, Mr. Frith has been a member of the Corporation since 1972. His ties to the City however, predate his existence.

"I've had many members of my family serve the Corporation in the past, including my late father,'' he said. "We've even had one controversial member of the family who sat on the Corporation, Captain Hezekiah Frith, whose reputation was duly noted by Sister Jean de Chantal Kennedy in her book, Biography of a Colonial Town .

"Having served the City since 1972, I've always looked forward to the day when I might have an opportunity to serve the City as Mayor. Having now achieved that position, I will certainly do my best to be a credit to all the voters. I feel particularly flattered that I have the opportunity to serve the City at this time, particularly with the very strong group of members, excellent executives and staff who form the Corporation of Hamilton. I would never have put my name forward for the post of Mayor without their support.'' As part of celebrations commemorating Hamilton's 100th anniversary as a City, yesterday saw a Centenary church service at the Cathedral and a special presentation of the `Concerts in the Park' series, held in the City Hall parking lot. A formal banquet will be held later in the year, and as a more lasting memento, a book detailing the history of the City is soon to be released.

"We are looking forward to the publishing of Hamilton, Bermuda: City and Capital -- the City's new book giving the history of the last 100 years,'' said Mr. Frith. "This book has been prepared and finalised by well-known local historian, Colin Benbow, who revised and completed the book started by Marian Robb. We hope the book will be available to the public in the very near future.'' As Mayor, Mr. Frith sits as an ex-officio member on all ten of the Corporation's committees. With 25 years behind him as a Corporation member, he said it was merely chance that landed him in the Mayor's seat as the City celebrates such a milestone in its history.

"It's only the luck of the draw that I happened to have been elected as Mayor at the time we are celebrating our 100th anniversary,'' he said. "I've spent my whole working life in Bermuda in the City -- since 1957, and as I'm attached to the retail trade, I've worked in Hamilton six days a week.

"Having started as a Common Councillor, I was immediately put on the Sewer Committee and, since then, have had the privilege of serving wherever the mayor of the day placed me. Because of my knowledge of docks before joining the Corporation, Mayor Gibbons in 1972, invited me to join the City's Wharf Committee where I served my entire career in the Corporation, but had to give it up on becoming Mayor. I always say that serving the City is the most important responsibility I've held in life,'' he said, "as it gives me the opportunity to serve the people who live and work in Hamilton. And I'm proud to say, that I have friends from all walks of life.'' Mayor of Hamilton, William deV. Frith GOVERNMENT GVT 100 YEARS ANNIVERSARY ANN