The Bermuda flag will be mounted on the Front Street flag-pole daily, the Corporation of Hamilton announced yesterday putting an end to the long-lived tradition of the Union Flag in Hamilton.

Britain's Union flag, which is also known as the Union Jack, will now only be raised on special occasions. The Royal Gazette could not confirm, by press time last night, how long the Union Flag had flown in the city, however a Corporation spokesperson suggested it may have been there since Hamilton was named the Island's capital in 1815.

Mayor of Hamilton, Charles Gosling, spoke about the change last night and said: "Bermuda's residents may have noticed that the Bermuda flag has been flying in Hamilton since last Thursday. We will fly the Union Flag whenever a member of the Royal Family visits the Island, if the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom visits, on the Queen's Birthday, on November 11th and at the request of the Governor. On all other occasions we will fly the Bermuda flag.

"Flying the Bermuda flag allows The Corporation of Hamilton, on behalf of the residents of Bermuda, to commemorate important members of the community at the time of their passing."

The Corporation say the change was made out of simplicity; for while the British flag was not allowed to fly half mast without permission from the Queen the Bermuda flag could fly half mast if permitted by numerous officials including: Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Premier Ewart Brown and various members of the Corporation.

Mayor Gosling explained further: "The current Union Flag protocol does not allow us to fly the Union Flag at half-mast without the command of Her Majesty. If we don't receive consent to lower the Union Flag it could possibly lead to unnecessary ill feelings in the community. We feel this can easily be resolved by flying the Bermuda flag on most occasions."

According to the Deputy Governor, David Arkley, Government House is "happy" to see the Bermuda flag on Front Street. Mr. Arkley explained: "Government House accepts and has no difficulty with the Corporation of Hamilton's decision that the flag normally flown on the Flag-pole should be the Bermuda flag. The Corporation discussed the change with the Governor in advance."

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