PROGRESS OF HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20388, 31 December 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

PROGRESS OF HAMILTON

THE YEAR IN REVIEW NEW POST OFFICE FINALISED STATE HOUSING SCHEME Hamilton has never progressed at a more astonishing rate than It has done during the year that closes to-day, and it enters its Diamond Jubilee year well on the road to city status. There were many outstanding features, and the results of many will not be apparent for some months. Perhaps the most important achievement was the finalising of the negotiations for a new chief post office and a contract for the erection of the modern threestoreyed buiiding on the old courthouse site in Victoria Street has been let. Tiie post office, which is the very latest in design and construction, and which will cost £50,000, will materially enhance the appearance of the town.

Many important works commenced this year will be completed during 1938. Under this heading comes the srection of State houses for Hamilton, the first few of which will be ready for occupation in about a month's time.

The remarkable growth of Hamilton over the past few years has been exemplified by the serious shortage of houses, despite the fact that an average of 100 new private dwellings per year has been erected in the borough. The serious position in Hamilton has been recognised by the Government, and already contracts for the erection of 51 State houses have been let, while it should not be very long before a commencement is made with the formation of the model garden suburb on the Hayes Paddoekarea, Hamilton East, on which the Government have stated that they will build about 100 houses.

Over £200,000 In Building The Anal building figures for the year are not yet available, but for the first eleven months of this year 109 new dwelling houses were erected privately, while over 260 permits embodying work well in excess of £200,000 were issued by the Hamilton Borough Council. Besides the vast

amount of building for dwellings there has been a further growth in the erection of offices and buildings in tho business area of the town. Although several were completed during the year, some of the largest, including the new hotel in the main street, the