Building Figures Reveal Steady Growth

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 270, 4 February 1928, Page 18

Building Figures Reveal Steady Growth

Hamilton's latest building returns indicate the steady growth and development of the borough. Though they certainly show a gradual decrease in building since the peak year of 1924, owing to demands being over-supplied through the establishment of modern business premises and the erection of up-to-date dwelling

houses, good progress has been maintained. Since the end of March, 1921, building operations carried out in Hamilton represent a permit value of £1,171,426 6s to the end of December, 1927, up to which date 2,393 permits for new buildings or alterations to premises had been issued in the period covered. This trend, however, is in commou with the conditions experienced in similar centres. The figures available for the last 12 months are:

see that proper levels of the borough are taken, and a scheme of drainage decided on, as we already begin to experience the want of the latter. Of course. I am now speaking prospectively, in as much .as these matters will take time to accomplish, but they will sooner or later have to become absolute matters of fact if Hamilton is to keep pace with the times, and I think it necessary that I should express to you the views I have upon such subjects. “There are many matters which it will be necessary for the council to consider, but these are the principal points, regarding which it seems necessary that X should direct your attention. I can only assure you, in

conclusion, that it will always be my study to work in harmony with you, and to do ifny utmost to make Hamilton one of the most important cities in New Zealand. A NEW ERA

“We are now, as it were, beginning a new era in our history; and it will be the business of those who have been elected to the trust .of local government to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with what will best suit the interests of the place. My views are based on an earnest desire to do my best for the district. In which work you will always find me an active and zealous fellow-workman.” One of the first acts of the new council was to telegraph to Wellington for plans and specifications of the proposed bridge across the Waikato.

1924 THE PEAK YEAR Government’s Activity

The permits and values given account both for new buildings and alterations to existing premises. Whiie many of the building operations were of a 'minor nature, many in consistency with the importance of the own were undertaken and there were some substantial additions to business premises, an extension of building activities which should be carefully

noted as indicating the commci cial progress of Hamilton. The classes of work involved cover every description of building whose value is included in the returns. March was easily the leading month last year, when permits representing buildings of an aggregate value of £23,603 were issued including £17,000 for two concrete business premises. The first two months of the year do not disclose more than the ave. age building activity, but over the whole year a steady rate of progress las been maintained. September was a good month, but May, June and August were lean periods. Toward the close of the year the figures showed au upward tendency. In December just ended building permits issued covered a value of £6,982, compared with £4,661 ?s 6d for the corresponding period of last year. The month’s figures include six complete dwellings at an average cost of £540 each. The permits fo - November included four dwelling houses, one costing £1,600, while three dwellings were accounted for in the October returns and six in September. For the 12 months just complete. 210 building permits have been issued since January 1, 1927, representing a total value of £79,929 13s. Following are the returns for the past six years:— PermitS! Value. _ £ 1922 383 210,247 1923 .. .v. * 486 243,248 1924 .. M 432 260,433 1925 ~ 341 163,733 1926 „ .. X a. 279 128,242 1927 .. « _ Total „ •_ _ £1,126,832 Of the total £119,107 15s 6d was accounted for by alterations, the reminder of £1,007,727 2s 6d being for

new buildings. Adding the latest figures for the nine months since March 31, 1927, gives the aggregate mentioned above for the period since March 31, 1922.

These figures take no account of the value of Government buildings erected during the period, and that the lest seven years have witnessed considerable building by and on behalf of Government departments. The Railway Department alone has erected some 120 houses, a house factory and sawmill at Frankton Junction, the Public Trust Office and the State Insurance Office very fine blocks on Victoria Street, anil the Education Department a fine Technical School and considerable additions to the High School and various primary schools.

Permits. Value. £ s. d. January .. .i .. 14 5,405 0 0 February .. ., 6,330 5 0 March 23,603 •) 0 April .. .. .« 3,161 10 0 May .. .. . 2; 400 - u 0 June .. .. .. . 2,632 0 0 July 7,7370 August* 2,808 0 0 September . .. 20 8,571 0 0 October 3,622 18 0 November .. . 6,677 0 0 December .. . 6,982 0 0 Totals . £79,929 13 0