Hamilton's leaders have moved a step closer to what could become an eventual ban on horse and carriage operators plying their trade in the city.

Members of the Corporation of Hamilton have passed a resolution giving them the power to restrict horses and carriages on the capital's streets. The move comes less than four months after 19 people were injured during the first Harbour Nights tourist event of the year when two horses ran amok along Front Street.

The shocking stampede on April 25 — and a second incident three weeks later when an unmanned horse and carriage bolted along Front Street onto Bermudiana Road — led to calls for the animals to be banished from the city. But horse and carriage operators claimed that could destroy their livelihood.

Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros explained last night that no ban had yet been imposed. But he said the resolution — which will be published as an official order or ordinance today — was a way of "legislating the power for us to do that".

"There is no change in what is happening now," he told The Royal Gazette. "I think we are trying to dot our i's and cross our t's. It gives us the legal right to make decisions that can be enforced. It makes it clear that we have the power."

The Corporation is set to meet in the near future to decide whether there should be a ban on horse and carriages.

Mr. Madeiros said the decision could not be taken until the Police report into the Harbour Nights incident was delivered.

"It's an emotional issue for the public and I believe it's almost as equally emotional within the Corporation," he said.

"There are people in the public who think it's the worst thing we could do, to ban horses, and there are people who think it's the worst thing we could do not to ban horses."

Carriage rides are currently subject to a temporary ban from the fringes of the Harbour Nights tourist event every Wednesday.

Carriage operator Dee Charles, of Shilo stables, told this newspaper last week that her business would not survive a ban. Mr. Madeiros said the Corporation had met with Ms Charles and was happy to do so again. He also urged the public to make their views on the subject known by visiting City Hall or calling the Corporation on 292-1234.

"We are there for anyone who would like to come and talk to us about it, pro or con," he said.