and buggy drivers comes into force.

Carriage operators this week made a last ditch effort to get the Corporation of Hamilton to rethink the law.

They have threatened to defy it, saying their horses will not tolerate the devices. Headed by carriage owner Mr. Karl Terceira, a group of drivers met with the Corporation Streets Committee on Tuesday.

Corporation Secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt said yesterday they had proposed to pay someone fulltime in the summer to clear streets of smelly droppings. The committee, chaired by Alderman Mr. David A.L. White, had agreed to consider the proposal, he said.

However, when carriage drivers did a similar thing last cruise season, it had failed. They had paid someone to clean up after them, but he did not keep streets clean enough and complaints continued.

The rule is due to come into effect this Sunday.

The Corporation would announce its decision on the drivers' proposal today, Mr. Sherratt said. He noted that in anticipation of the new law, the Corporation had paid for the creation of flushing bin to empty the soiled diaper devices into, and a hose to clean down the area.

It was also funding a new canopy for the horse and buggy stand, he said. Mr.

Sherratt said carriage drivers had been given several months notice of the new law. Over the course of two years, members had listened to their concerns about the diapers, but decided the devices were the best way of solving the droppings problem.

He added drivers' claims that horses in overseas cities were drugged to take the devices were unfounded.

Carriage owner Ms Deirdre Flood said last month drivers will defy the law when it comes into effect.

They were too "frightened'' to attach the devices to their carriages for fear of their horses "bucking and bolting''.