Corporation of Hamilton.

And, if successful, barrister Miss Sonia Grant would be the first woman in the position.

"God willing, I will be putting my name forward,'' said Miss Grant, a lawyer with Richards, Francis & Francis.

Businessman and former banker Mr. Sutherland Madeiros is also considering entering the fray.

If elected, he has pledged to fight for better parking for shoppers and traders.

The vacancy follows last month's election of the longest-serving Common Councillor to the post of Alderman.

Mr. Neville Conyers replaced the late Mr. McDonald Smith, owner of the Donald Smith travel agency, who had been on the Corporation for more than 20 years.

The sole nominee, he was sworn in at the City Hall by the Mayor of Hamilton, The Rt. Wor. Cecil Dismont.

The Common Councillor vacancy has been advertised in the official Gazette .

Nominations must be in on June 1. If more than one person stands there will be an election on Tuesday, June 8.

Corporation secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt said nominations would not be submitted until June 1.

He added the Corporation was made up of a mayor, three aldermen, and five councillors.

Miss Grant, a former chairman of the Berkeley Institute's board of governors, tried unsuccessfully in 1988 to get on to the Corporation.

"There has never been a woman in any position on the Corporation, be it councillor or Mayor,'' she said.

Miss Grant said one of her major concerns was how few people realised they were entitled to be on the Corporation's electoral register.

"Anyone in a business or residential unit is entitled. The majority of people don't seem to know their rights. There should be greater awareness of this. It bothers me greatly.'' In 1991, for example, about 450 people registered when well over 1,100 were eligible.

Miss Grant, a lawyer for seven years, said she was also worried by parking problems north of Hamilton.

Princess Street, for instance, was regularly packed with cars from 8.15 a.m.

until 5 p.m.

Mr. Madeiros, owner of the Sportseller in Washington Mall, Hamilton, admitted he was considering putting himself forward.

As a merchant for three years, said he was aware of city parking problems -- also highlighted by Mr. Conyers.

Shoppers had complained to him about lack of parking space. Traders, too, were upset.

Mr. Madeiros, also a banker for 20 years, said he strongly backed the planned multi-storey car park at Bulls Head.

As a Common Councillor he would be in a better position to influence decisions.

Mr. Madeiros said he would also fight for improvement on other fronts, including garbage collection, lighting, and the docks.

One of the Corporation's aims is to put into place recommendations of the 1992 Barbera Report on the docks.

Nursery school assistant Mrs. Lovette Brangman scotched reports she would be standing.

Mrs. Brangman said she had been approached, but decided not to be nominated.

She added she had twice unsuccessfully tried to get on the corporation.

"I really feel I've had my stint,'' she said.