It could set up the first contest for the Mayoralty in 60 years.

Seventy-eight-year-old Mayor the Rt. Wor. Cecil Dismont has declined to say whether he will take up the challenge.

"I am not prepared to make a statement yet,'' he said yesterday before leaving the Island.

The two potential combatants are described as "very good friends''.

But Mr. Boyle, 58, said yesterday he believed it was time for Mr. Dismont to step down and let a younger man take over. Mr. Dismont has been Mayor for six years.

Said Mr. Boyle: "I think age is a factor, which will work in my favour should there be a contest.'' He added: "I am cautiously optimistic I would win if the post was contested.

"I don't know whether the Mayor will be running or not. I don't think he has finalised his plans.'' An April 19 date has been fixed for the Corporation of Hamilton elections.

Common councillors, aldermen, and the Mayor could all face election challenges.

Father-of-four Mr. Boyle, of Inwood, Paget, has been deputy Mayor for six of his 25 years on the Corporation.

During that time he was a common councillor for seven years. He has also been an alderman.

In addition, he is president and managing director of shoe company W.J. Boyle and Son Ltd -- a "successful'' family business.

Yesterday he told Mr. Dismont -- Mayor for two three-year terms -- about his bid for the post. And he later explained to The Royal Gazette his reasons for standing.

"Three years ago when the Mayor said he was going to run again he insinuated it was going to be his last term in office.

"At that time he asked for my support, and I said I would be glad to support him.

"I also said I would like to run for the office in 1994. We are very good friends, and he told me `I would support you, I think you should run'.'' Mr. Boyle said he had organised his life around standing for Mayor.

He would be prepared to devote the next three years to fulfilling the Mayoralty.

"It is a very busy position, and takes up, I reckon, two hours out of every day.'' Mr. Boyle believed there should be more "upward mobility'' in the Corporation.

Common councillors should not find their way up the Corporation ladder blocked by older members.

"I believe we should limit the time one can be Mayor to no more than six years.'' Mr. Boyle pledged to take a higher profile if he became Mayor.

"I think it should be seen that the Corporation is run by the people elected to run it.'' He added: "I would push for certain things as Mayor, such as expediting the Bull's Head multi-storey car park.'' Mr. Boyle said he would also put teeth into legislation curbing the way shops advertise themselves.