will receive the gifts, the Hamilton Rotary Club was told yesterday.

Corporation secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt said free concerts, fireworks, a parade, and a city heritage exhibition are among special events planned as Hamilton turns 200.

The Town of Hamilton was incorporated on June 29, 1793, named after then Governor Capt. Henry Hamilton. He supported creation of a new centrally-located town with a sheltered harbour, over the objections from St.

George's.

By 1815, Hamilton became Bermuda's capital. She would not be incorporated as a city until 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, meaning Hamilton will have a centenary to celebrate in four years time.

This year, anniversary celebrations will begin in April, Mr. Sherratt said.

Concerts are planned to suit a wide range of musical tastes, including gospel, calypso, jazz, classical, soul, and rock and roll, he said.

The concerts are possible because of last year's renovation of the bandstand in Victoria Park, which dates back to the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 1887.

In addition to the concerts, the Corporation is working closely with the Heritage Advisory Committee on a May exhibition, Mr. Sherratt said. The topic is Hamilton, but the emphasis will be on the city's people, he said.

Mr. John Adams, the Bermuda Government archivist, is interested in hearing from anyone with stories and photographs about "the many and varied characters whose lives have helped to enrich the city.'' A city Street Festival, a parade of old vehicles, and a sailpast along the Hamilton waterfront are also in the works, Mr. Sherratt said. And there will be other events for adults, children, and families.

A major waterfront concert and a huge July 4 fireworks display are to cap the celebrations, he said.

Mr. Sherratt joined the Corporation at the start of 1992, after 28 years with the Bermuda Police, the last 10 as its official spokesman.

Mr. Roger Sherratt.