HAMILTON’S PROGRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 11

HAMILTON’S PROGRESS

WORK DURING YEAR mR IVY PROJECTS WOO TED GARDEN PLACE OPERATIONS Hamilton’s march of progress, which has been phenomenal over the past decade, has been further accelerated during the year. Hamilton haa experienced one of the most important years in its history and the coming year should see much contemplated work put into operation. The remarkable growth of Hamilton over the past few years haa been exemplified by the aerioua shortage of houses, despite the fact that over lOd • new dwelling* have been erected tn the borough each year alnoe iPSk. | This serious position has been rooogI nised by the Government and already ; contracts for State houses have been I let for nearly 100 dwellings, while a further 160 houses will be built aft Haves Paddock. Although the final building figures j for the year are not yet available, over I 110 new houses have been erected, while permits for work well In exeeso of £230,000 have been Issued by the council. Besides the erection of the I many new homes there has again been a great increase in the expansion and modernisation of the business area, and many handsome new buildings have already been completed. There are still several to be completed, the two largest buildings being the new Chief Post Office and the new hotel, work on both of which has reached a forward stage. The design of business premise# hi i recent years has definitely been towards simplicity In appearance, with j coloured concrete being used to lend attraction, in place of the more or less ; ornamented facades. There Is little ■ doubt that this tendency has proved j very effective. Two Elections This Year ! Hamilton has experienced two elections this year, the council elections in May and the general elections ta October. The greatly increased Interest taken in politics generally wae j reflected in the two campaigns. The • Boya] Phow was also held in Hemili ton for the firsl time this year, and It received unprecedented support fro« lown and country, being one of the best yet held in the Dominion. | After many years of discussion the | question of the removal of Garden Place Hill was settled when a poll ; taken over a special rating area, coniI prising the business portion of the j town, was carried by a wide majority. Everything is now in train and a sta ' ! will be made about mid-January wliU , the removal of the hill. Another longl debated question in Hamilton has been the desirability of a town hall, and a definite stage has been reached with this question, the council having de- : cided to apply for sanction to take a ' poll on the question of raising £35.A00 for a town hall on the Garden Place site.

During the year the condition of the gasworks caused the council a great deal of concern, and this department is now in process of reorganisation. authority having been sought to raise loans to bring the works up to dale. The waterworks plant has also been added to during the year, a new purifying filter having been Installed and put into operation.

Many Comprehensive Schemes The council lias some comprehensive srlmiiick under consideration that w»i •‘"•an a great deal of work and a very targe sum of money to be expendod in Hie town. The first that will engage the attention of the couucil wil be the preparing of the Hayes Paddock site for the erection of the model garden suburb, the council having been granted the £ 13,000 worth of work that will he necessary to bring the area up to the same standard as the other portions of the borough. The Garden Place Hill work will be done bv contract. Another large scheme early in the year is the proposal to raise loans totalling £154.000. for street improvements. sewer extensions and the erection of conveniences in Hamilton, Frank ton and Hamilton East. TTie council has already decided to seek authority tor the raising of the money, and if it is successful a poll will be

Tlio question of a new station <4 i Fratikfon Junction was again considered on several occasions. and recently Hip Mayor \va* shown proposed plans for a new station He hat 1 stated that thp specifications are all that could be desired and that there iis a hope of work starting at at early date. The lowering of the railway line through the town, erection of a new low-level bridge and the converting of the old railway bridge into another traffic bridge, is another proposal under consideration, and rreat headway has been made This scheme should also reach flnalltv during tht new year. Other Major Works Resides the major works being prepared or pursued by the council the"® have been other important project* mooted in Hamilton, one being the amalgamation of the two secondary schools, with a new school for boyi at Hamilton Hast and a hostel for girl* on the present High School site. New schools for Hamilton West and Hamilton East have also been approved. I.ate in the year the Hamilton Domain Board discussed proposals to bring Hamilton sports areas up to the standard required, and although nothing definite has been decided it is anticipated that finality will be reached parly in the new year. The scheme* involve the expenditure of over £lO,000 on sports areas, and if approved will bring many grounds up to th* standard required, with the increased interest in physical welfare.