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Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1926, Page 2

Thk delay in moving the Australian seat of Government from Melbourne to the new capital at Canberra from 1926 to 1927, which caused disappointment in some quarters, has been welcomed in others, and in most ways will probably be advantageous. The capital gives promise of being a notable city. The ground work of the garden city which is to arise, will consist of the great hostel and the temporary Parliament House —afterwards to be an administrative block—which has already cost the Government over four million pounds. Banks, business firms, theatrical proprietors, and private persons, have purchased sites in the city, and are purchasing more. They can buy perpetual leaseholds only, subject to periodical renpprnisement of the rent, within the Federal territory, and for the lease of a site for a picture theatre £7,000 was recently paid. This, and the keen competition for oilier leases, is clear prool that those who know contemplate a great influx of population and rapid development when Parliament moves to Canberra, and the roads and streets, already made, drained, lighted, and planted with trees, will bo fronted bv many line buildings and business premises, even within a year from now. During 1920, the great trek of civil' servants will begin, and some hundreds of them will lie established in Canberra before January 2Gt!i.. Australia Day. 1927, when it is •proposed to open a. short session of the Commonwealth 1 Parliament at Canberra. Later there will Tie an adjournment for some months, and .during this lime Canberra, with new inhabitants. official and unofficial--the former 'alone wilt number thousands—arriving in their new home every day, will be a wonderful hive of industry, and one of the most interesting spots in Australia.