City Hall yesterday, businessman Lawson Eugene Mapp became the new Mayor of Hamilton.

The former alderman was a popular choice and his bid for the city's hot seat was unopposed.

Following his swearing in, when the Mayor formally promised to "serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and do right by all manner of people according to the laws and usages of this Island without fear or favour, fashion or ill-will'', he was warmly congratulated by outgoing Mayor William de V. Frith.

"It is my very great pleasure to hand you this chain of office,'' Mr. Frith said.

"It carries with it a great deal of responsibility, but with that responsibility is my past privilege of having worked with you over a long period of time, and I know you will do well.'' With the enamelled chain of office resting comfortably over his immaculately-attired shoulders, the smiling new Mayor then addressed the gathering, which included his fellow Corporation members, Secretary Roger Sherratt and other staffers, friends and returning officers Gregory Haycock and Nicholas Dill.

Drawing an analogy between his first contact with City Hall in 1959 when, as a 20-year-old apprentice sign writer, he stood in a box suspended 30 feet above ground level helping his employer to gild the Corporation crest on the main facade, Mr. Mapp said: "Today I am most honoured and touched to be given the highest office as your Mayor''.

He thanked his former teachers at Elliott School, his family and friends, including those at the Anglican Cathedral, for their love and support, as well as his proposers past and present, Corporation colleagues and Mayor Frith "for having the confidence in me to take this Corporation to the next level''.

"Hopefully, I will succeed in fulfilling their expectations,'' he said.

Turning to the outgoing Mayor, Mr. Mapp wished Mr. Frith "Godspeed, good health and what we hope will be a happy retirement'' following 28 years service to the Corporation, the last three as Mayor.

"Mr. Frith has been a tower of strength me,'' his successor said.

Mayor Mapp also paid tribute to Mr. Frith's wife, Sally, whom he said had not only faithfully supported her husband and shared his duties with him, but also was noted for her meticulous attention to detail.

"We will miss her charm and lovely smile,'' he said.

Turning to re-elected common councillors Sonia Grant, Reginald Minors and David Dunkley, and newcomers Rosina Harriet Kenien and John (Jay) Bluck, as well as aldermen David A.J.G. White, James Jardine and Thomas J. Dickinson (who moved up from common councillor), Mr. Mapp congratulated them all on their appointment.

On a lighter note, the Mayor said he was pleased to see that, once again, a Bluck had joined the Corporation -- the first since 1929 -- while in joining Miss Grant, Mrs. Kenien would boost "the gentler sex amongst us'' in addition to giving valuable service.

Mr. Mapp also paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of retiring councillor Sutherland Madeiros.

In closing, the Mayor said he was very mindful of the significance of his new office and the daunting task which lay before him, but he was confident that by working together as a team, the new Corporation slate would resolve the many future challenges which they faced.

The genial Mr. Mapp also promised to be available to his constituents and said he would welcome their ideas on how their city should be run.

For his part, Mr. Frith said, while he had thoroughly enjoyed his term of office, after 28 years service it was time for him to concentrate on his Front Street liquor business, and he also paid tribute to his wife's love and support.

"It has been a privilege to serve the city, and a very happy part of my life,'' he said, noting that his great-great-great-great grandfather, Hezekiah Frith, had served the City of Hamilton from its inception.