By-elections are due in the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's. Hamilton Alderman Reginald Minors, who has been on the Corporation for around ten years, is retiring because of travel commitments, said Mayor Lawson Mapp.

He said it was likely he would move up an ordinary councillor into the position, though he conceded a challenger could emerge for the Alderman position, creating the need for a by-election.

He said any by-election would probably occur in about six weeks.

In the East End William Davis is retiring just a few months into his second term on the Corporation of St. George's for health reasons.

Mayor E. Michael Jones said he expected a contest and urged residents to make sure they were registered to vote.

He said: "I expect one or two candidates who were unsuccessful last time to stand."

August or early September is likely for the polling date. Mr. Jones also said Corporation meetings could soon be open to the public as soon as renovations to the ground floor of the town hall are complete.

He said the building work, made necessary by damage from Hurricane Fabian, had cost several hundred thousand dollars.

The ground floor redevelopment should be ready around the Cup Match period. Modifications will allow about a dozen people to witness meetings said Mr. Jones who said he had long wanted public access.