HAMILTON ADVANCES.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17901, 23 December 1929, Page 7

HAMILTON ADVANCES.

EXPANSION OF BOROUGH. WHAT YEAR BAS YIELDED. RECORD OF IMPROVEMENTS. For a town that is rapidly approach-, ing city .status, Hamilton may be justly proud of the municipal progress made during the year just ending. Despite the fact that no loans have been raised other than that for water works improvements and relief works, a good deal of necessary work around the borough has been done out of revenue funds. As these are limited no big contracts have been undertaken. Many ratepayers have reason to be thankful for the latest policy of the council in allocating up to £2OOO out of the revenue account for effecting permanent improvements . This year, as a result of this policy, the following streets have been asphalted: Ruakiwi Street, part of Lake Road, completion of Massey Street, Thackeray and Alma Streets, and the river end of Bryce Street. Intersections, which had been cut up through turning traffic have been asphalted as follows: River and Boundary Roads, River Road and Oakley Avenue, Piako and Union Streets, Plako and George Streets. O’Neill and George Streets, River Road and Myrtle Streets, Myrtle aaJ To Aruba Streets, Bridge and Von Tcmpsky Streets, Princess and Victoria Streets. Footpaths under this heading have been asphalted in Waterloo, part .Massey, Barton, part Bryce, Alma and Ruakiwi Streets and Hospital Hill. In addition to the permanent surfacing much maintenance work lias been accomplished, including the part-asphalting of worn footways to preserve their original state. This has involved a good deal of work, care and attention on the •part of the staff. Various Reforms. A reform of major importance undertaken this year was the construction of a subway under the west end of the traffic bridge, with picturesque stone steps leading from the approach to Ferry Bank. Besides enhancing the scenic value of a pretty corner of the river bank, the new steps represent a facility much appreciated by pedestrians. Some months ago the decking of No. 1 Bridge was reconstructed and a footpath section created by means of a handrail. Through unemployed relief works the Borough Council has spent about £ISOO, including a Government subsidy of £OOO, on various street improvements. Residents have co-oper-ated with the council in many cases and have maintained neat, green swards in front of their properties, which are a distinct asset to the beautifying of the town. This co-operation could well be extended in the future. With the relief money the following streets and footpaths have been graded to permanent level: Naylor, Coates, FirLh, Anglesea, Willoughby, part Ellis, part Colombo Streets, and Opoia Road. Unemployment in the town has been reduced appreciably as a result and is now practically negligible. Reliof of Flooding. A big stormwater drainage scheme now in progress, which will have the effect of removing practically all the flooding in parts of the business area, is Hie reconstruction of what is known as the “Anglesea Street Drain.” This drain carries the bulk of the water from the shopping area, of the town, Hie outlet being near the gasworks in Hie Clarence Street gully. Old 2tin. pipes arc being taken up and relaid with 30in. reinforced concrete pipes ensuring 2J times the capacity. Heavy rains over a long period usually produce flooding in the Collingwood and Alexandra Streets area, and the new drain will obviate this, it is estimated to cost £2OOO, 'the sum being provided out of a relief loan bearing a Government grant of £I2OO. Although it is a relief work, only capable men have been engaged and are consequently receiving full rates of •pay. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of February. Owing to the nature of the country traversed by the drain the enlargement operations could not be undertaken in the winter. Numerous minor alterations and additions to the stormwater drainage system have been made during the year, including the piping of open drains in Albert Street and at the corner of Fow and Palmerston Streets.

Waterworks Loan. The most important feature of the year was the council’s successful floating of «. loan of £40,070 early in the year for the purpose of bringing the local waterworks system thoroughly up-to-date and to provide adequately for future expansion. Much preparation has already been done in connection with the scheme, including the construction of the sedimentation basins at the pumping station, the installation of tiie new filters, and t ( he construction of the new intake, screen chamber and pumping well, as well as preliminary excavations for the new reservoir. Great credit is due to Mr R. Worley, the borough engineer, and his assistants for the exhaustive investigations made before the loan proposal was placed before the ratepayers and for the still more monumental ’task of preparing plans and specifications for the reservoir and pumping station. Machinery for the latter is now en route to New Zealand. The great .scheme has culminated in the acceptance a few days ago of extremely satisfactory tenders which produced competition from all over, the Dominion. This, together with his close estimates of the cost of the work, again represents a triumph for the borough engineer. With the finalising or the scheme the town may lie assured of a pure and plentiful water supply at a good pressure for many yearsPJcw Welding Process. The reservoir will be unique in so far as an entirely new design has been adopted as far as New Zealand is conjerned. The whole of the reinforcing, comprising well over 500 tons of metal, will be fixed in position by means of electric welding. This method, it is stated, is likely to come into extensive use for tliis class of structure in the future. ' In England and America engineers are. erecting railway and traffic bridges completely by means of the elcctrio welding process. From an architectural point of view the finished reservoir will stand as a handsome edifice and landmark for the greater part •of the Waikato as well as the town. Other departments or the borough Council have experienced a year of steady progress, both the gas and electrical undertakings being in a llourishCContinued in uext column.).

ing condition- Community lighting has been inaugurated successfully and hopes for its extension through Victoria Street will he general. The municipal elections this year resulted in the return of Mr J. R. Fow as mayor by a substantial majority, which was the greatest testimonial His Worship could have had for his fine record of civic service- Eight of the old council were sent back to their seats, while the injection of some new blood has not been without its advantages. One of the new “old” members, whose name will always be emblazoned in bold letters on any history of Hamilton, was Mr C. J. W- Barton, who was the recipient of warm congratulations a week or so ago on the occasion of his golden wedding.

Welfare of Ratepayers. Watching 'the ratepayers' interests closely, the council has been constantly in touch with the Government regarding many -matters of vital importance to -the town’s welfare- Every effort was made to have the name of the. Frankton Junction Station altered, but the railway authorities could not see eye to eye with the leading public bodies of the town, including the council, on this matter. Once again the council has been instrumental in bringing the new bridge question before the public and definite developments may lie expected early in the new year. The proposal to have the railway bridge enlarged for traffic use was suggested by the Mayor and sponsored by the council, and a final answer' from the Government is awaited with 'interest. The need for revaluation of the borough was urged on the city fathers this year, and the Valuer-General has agreed to this being proceeded with in readiness for the next financial yearThe basis of rates was slightly altered and the general levy on ratepayers was £259 less than the previous year. Mention might also be made of the 2purchase of Mayoral robes, a long needed reform considering the dignity and status of the town. The Mayoral regalia might well be completed by a special hat for His Worship for outdoor functions. Criticism a-plenty has been levelled at the council through various channels at different times, but on reading through the record chronicled above it is difficult to arrive at any conclusion other than ttiat the town’s business has been prudently and carefully managed. lin.milton has advanced another 'jniicsiiono along the road of progress. As the town enters on the sixty-sixth year of its existence and the third decade of the twentieth century it must acknowledged that much advancement has been directly due to the far-seeing policy of the local authority and to the self-sacrifices of those who have served on it-