CANBERRA.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1926, Page 4

CANBERRA.

BUILDING THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. (By Fredk. AVatson in the " Sydney Herald.”) In 1!K)9 the site of the seat of government for the Australian nation was determined by the passing of the Seat of Government Acceptance (No. 23 of 1909) by the Federal Parliament. In 19.12 a dream, city was conceived by an idealist, Walter Burley Griffin. On .March 12, 1913, the city was named “ Canberra ” by her Excellency Lady Hill. In 1920 the dream city is approehing realisation under the direction of the master minds of the commissioners. John Henry Butlers. Sir John Harrison, and C. 11. Gorman. On May !). 1927. the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia will assemble in its own homo city.

The name Canberra is pronounced with the accent on. the first syllable and a slurring of the>second. It is no new name, but it is found as iho name of a district on the map of the County of .Murray, in Bcasch and Co.’s atlas, published in 1P72.

Any one present tit the ceremony on Capitol Hill in March. 1913. would lutle realise the changes to he effected in 13 years. Hi March. 1913, the country was principally devoted to the grazing of sheep. Standing then on Capitol Hill, behind one saw the moderately timbered Bed Hill : in the immediate foreground was Camp Hill, from which the laud fell away in all directions hut one. to the hanks of the Molonglo River; to the left, in the middle distance, the road crossed the river xo pass the litle Acton homestead, built on the lowest spur of Black Mountain, dark, beautiful, and heavily timbered; not far from this homestead lay the woolslicd and a relic of the early clays, an old convent building; to the centre, in the middle distance and across the river, there was seen a small farmhouse a little in front of the old Canberra, church, with its tall spire, and about a. quarter of an mile from the parsonage, well sheltered in a garden planted with many English trees; in the background was Mount Ainslie; somewhat to the right in the distance at the foot of another hill were the buildings at Duntroon, the old homestead .of the Campbells; to the right from Capitol Hill, in the middle distance lay an open almost treeless plain, extending to tHe hills and mountains on the horizon. It was a view of fine pastoral country, hils and mountains, as far as the eye could sec. with a church and a few scattered buildings.

Tn 192(5, again standing on Capito Hill, behind and a little to the left the official residence of the Prime Minister is hidden amongst the trees; i

flue building rapidly nearing completion ; behind and a little to the right there are numerous bungalow residences, built or building, at the foot of Red Hill, in the district known as Blandfordia. In the immediate foreground, a- wooden platform on Cam]) Hill is the site of Che-'first land sale at Canberra in December, 192-1. and on the slopes of the hill is a great white building, impressive in the simplicity of its building lines, its metal work and its sunken gardens, forming the provisional Parliament House; on each side," recreation grounds for members of Parliament, and in front public gardens, extending to the Molonglo River, are being formed. *

hi Hie immediate foreground. to the left, the ground is being excavated for the building of tlm second secretariat, and on the other side of a well-made street is the Hotel Canberra, built on the pavilion plan, with a central living block. Further in the distance, on the other side of the river, in. the district known as Acton, the administrative offices, and the residence of the chief commissioner on one side of the road, and the old Acton homestead am.l staff bachelors’ quarters on the other are prominent. Near these, hut invisible from Capitol Hill is the cottage hospital. Still further in the distance is the Hotel Acton, a. dark red brick building, nearly completed, and on the other side of the road the site of the future university at the foot uf Black Mountain.

Standing on Capitol Hill, in. the front and across the river behind the old Canberra parsonage, one sees the district of Ainslio. where numerous cottages are built and building, to he let to future tenants at tils per week and upwards. Near by. the Hotel Ainslie, a laundry and bakery are erected, and a newspaper office nearly completed. To the left there are two open fields lying on either side of a fine avenue. These fields form the principal sections of the future civic centre; they were sold in allotments in December. 192 L and in .May of this year; and the erection of buildings thereon must he commenced before December next on a uniform plan. In the immediate right foreground ITo,in Capitol Hill, the first secretariat is erected, and a little further away is the Hotel Kurrajong already built. Further to the right is the Telopea Public School, ami the Telopea Park and (.'cricket Orpuml. in the right middle distance lies the district of Fast la ke. where a huge power-house, shops, and numerous small residences are built-. In the distance can lie seen the building of the Duntroon Military College; and further to the right the plain extending to the Hills and mountains on the horizon. All around, well made avenues, roads, circles nml circuits can he seen.

From .Monday to Friday ill each week the whole area is a hive of industry. .Motor cars and motor lorries are has-

tening everywhere, each with a definite object; Parliament House is nearing completion, hotels are being completed; a second secretariat; a large boardinghouse, and a large picture theatre are commencing; houses of all sizes and architecture, are being constructed, not in ones or twos or threes at a time, hut contracts for dozens of cottages are let at one time; a new span is being added to the main bridge, and the concrete retaining walls at the sides of one end were set in twentyfour hours ; numerous horse carts are removing soil; where necessary to drain land, trenches are being cut by a. steam trench digger; sewers are being constructed; steam shovels are at work to level land; holes are being dug for the planting of trees; lawns, recreation grounds,' tennis courts and bowling greens are being formed. All this huge work requires a small army of artisans and labourers. A casual visitor wandering around could not find a happier or more contented body of men, and could not detect the presence anywhere of what is commonly known as the “ government stroke” in ether parts of Australia. Everythin l«; is co-ordinated: every worker seems willing. The men are well eared for; an excellent hospital, and a fine ambulance are provided for the sick; the. Telopea School provides for the 'education of their children, and mbtor transport for fhejrctiirri of the children to their homes; water is laid on to the camps, built on the sheltered slopes of hills; everything that human foresight can provide for their comfort is there. These ideal conditions are due to the organising ability of the commissioners, and more especially to the community, spirit adopted ns He policy of the commission. Within the capital area, ons feels that there is an entire absence of parochialism, and that all are working with an honest endeavour for a common object, the construction of the

capital city of Australia. A newcomer commencing to work is immediately helped and encouraged to do-his quota for the common end by men already employed. This community spirit has had a farreaching effect in the capital territory, and the dream city is fast becoming an ideal city. From the time that Parlia- - input assembles at Canberra, it is to ; he hoped that this spirit will spread , through the length and breadth of ; Australia, and create an Australian national spirit, unfettered by State jealousies and parochialism.