Lawson Mapp waltzed back into office as the Mayor of Hamilton last night with a landslide win in an election that clearly failed to stir the public's imagination.

Only 120 votes were cast from a franchise of 372, with 104 going to 62-year-old Mapp, a massive 87 per cent of the vote, with rival Graeme Outerbridge leaving even before the announcement that he had polled 14 votes was made. Two papers were spoiled.

Mr. Mapp was sworn in immediately after the count at City Hall for his second term in office proclaiming:"Obviously the constituents have spoken and I am very humbled to be given the opportunity of having a second term.

"I'm sorry that we didn't have a better turn-out - the people obviously felt that they didn't need to come out because of the weather or whatever."

He thanked his supporters and promised to take the City of Hamilton forward with the three aldermen and five councillors.

Mr. Mapp also expressed disappointment that Mr. Outerbridge, the National Liberal Party vice chairman, had left before the result was announced by the returning officers.

The election campaign has been soured by the resignation of three alderman including David White, who had been widely tipped to be given a clear run for Mayor this year.

Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt also retired this week, although any talk of rifts with Mr. Mapp were played down by both sides.

In April, Mr. Mapp claimed he was being bullied out of office and announced he would not be standing after losing the support of Corporation members.

The last time there had been an election for Mayor was when William Boyle beat Cecil Dismont in 1994.

Business owners have one vote each while residential tenants and owners have one vote per household although joint owners of residential properties, such as husband and wives, can have one vote each.