BUILDING BOOM AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 3 February 1938, Page 5

BUILDING BOOM AT ASHBURTON

INCREASED ACTIVITY THIS YEAR ADDITIONS TO BUSINESS AREA Compared with last year, there is a boom in building activity in Ashburton at the present time. During November, December, and January of 1936- a sum of £8720 was spent in building. For the same months of 1937- the amount given in applications for permits for building was more than £21,000. Comparative figures for the two periods are;— 1936-37. 1937-38. £ £ November .. 4.741 383 December . • 2,845 1,267 , January .. 1.134 19,374 The amounts for 1936-37 were spent in dwellings, alterations, and additions. but the figures for 1937-38 represent some major building works. Last November £383 was spent in alterations and additions, in December £IOOO was spent on a dwelling, and £267 on alterations and additions. . In January, permits were issued for the erection of two dwellings at a cost of 112591, for two shops at £4555 for alterations and additions to the value of £278, and for the building of 11 State houses at a cost of £11,950. One of the major budding works, now nearing completion, is the Ashburton County Council’s new offices at the corner of Baring square and Havelock street. It is a large twostorey building of modern design finished in coloured concrete, and it will contain offices for the chairman, the clerk, the engineer-, and the health inspector. In addition there will be n large general office, the council chamber, and committee room. New Courthouse The new courthouse at Ashburton is nearly ready for occupation. It was erected at a cost of about £BSOO, and will house several Government departments in addition to the courtroom. Although the building is almost completed. the date when it will be opened by the Minister for Justice (the lion. H. G. R. Mason) has not been fixed. On the corner of East and Havelock streets the New Zealand Farmers’ Cooperative Association, Ltd., will build a large department store, which, it is understood, will be one of the largest buildings erected in Ashburton in recent years. All the retail departments of the firm will bo contained in the building, which will be commenced on the demolition of the present courthouse. Barretts. Ltd., propose to erect a drapery store alongside the Farmers’ building, embodying all the latest developments in shop design, heating, and lighting. The new building will have 2000 square feet more floor space than the firm’s present premises, beside which it will be erected. Two of the first quota of State houses in Princes street are ready for occupation. but it yi not certain when the tenants will move in. Finishing touches are being put to the remainder of the first quota of houses, and foundations and frames are in position for the second quota. Preparations are also being made for the building of a new block of nine State houses at Allenton and for the erection of new premises on the corner of Tancred and East streets for the Union Bank of Australia. OFFICIALS FOR SATURDAY’S CARNIVAL Arrangements for the annual carnival to be held next Saturday by the Allenton Swimming Club were completed at a meeting of the club. The following officers were appointed:— Referee, Mr A. Thompson; starter, Mr N. Robilliard; judges, diving, Messrs R. M. McGregor, J. Lane, J. Hardy; swimming. Messrs W. Hunter, G. Ferrier, J. Gibson; timekeepeers, Messrs S. H. Truman, W. James, H. Milsom; touch judge, Mr D. Miller. TENNIS AT WILLOWBY The results of the first "Yankee” tournament played by the Willowby Tennis Club were:— Phyllis Lattimore and Jack Parrish I, Peggy Frisby and Arnold Lattimore 2. In the second tournament, two pairs (led in both first and second places. Those who tied for first place were Flora Pearce and Arnold Lattimore and Joan Pate rson and Nola Mackay. and for second place May Knox and Jack Parrish and Mary O’Grady and Hugh Pearce.