Ordinance this week, paid on-site parking in the city will not go into effect until June or July, Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt said yesterday.

Mr. Sherratt said the voucher system, which has been used to good effect in other jurisdictions in Britain and the Channel Islands, was originally planned for April 1 but had taken "a little longer than expected'' to put into effect.

He also said the Corporation would be putting forward an "extensive public awareness campaign'' to educate motorists on the system and how the vouchers will work.

As outlined in the Parking Ordinance, each voucher will cost 50 cents, be valid for one hour and require motorists to mark the time and date that they park on the voucher and display it in their windscreens.

The voucher system, which is expected to raise nearly $800,000 a year for the Corporation, was introduced to help pay for the new $5.5-million carpark at Bull's Head.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sherratt was on hand yesterday for the official opening of the new $50,000 no-charge parking lot between Court and Union Streets.

The new lot, which can accommodate close to 70 cars, should ease the shortage of Hamilton parking spaces while the Bull's Head carpark, which is to open in November, is under construction.

The Union Street carpark, a former vacant lot that has been paved over and is to be outfitted with new lighting and a high-security fence, is also intended to curb drug and other criminal activity in the area.

Among those present with Mr. Sherratt during yesterday's opening were Hamilton Mayor the Rt. Wor. William Boyle and Bermuda Industrial Union president Mr.

Ottiwell Simmons MP.

The BIU, which owns the car park land, will take control of the car park after Bull's Head opens, and will likely charge a "modest fee'' for its use, Mr.

Simmons said.