SIGNS OF PROGRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19885, 14 May 1936, Page 9

SIGNS OF PROGRESS

4 TE AWAMCTU BLILDINGS. LARGE PROPERTY DEALS- _..— ALTERATIONS i.\‘ BIOROLGH(Timcs' Representative.) TE AWAMUTU. WednesdayThe census returns for the 'l'e Awamutu Borough disclosed an increase over ten years of approximately 3‘ per cent. and a reflection of the town's development may ‘be seen in 'the building activity and the lama" in property transactions recently. SeV—oral large properties in and about the town have changed hands in the last few weeks and reports indicate that a still greater demand is evident. A large block or buildlnss on the corner 01’ Alexandra and Arawata streets. owned by Te Awamutu Build—ings. Ltd.. of Hamilton. was recently purchased by Fowlers' Buildings. Ltd. a subsidiary of Messrs. P. A. Fowler and Sons, Ltd. who occupy half 0? the block. at a figure reported to the in the vicinity of £9OOO. it is probable that a new modern hotel will he erected on the site of the Commercial Hotel in Alexandra Street. in place of the present wooden structure. The price 0! the 20ft frontage between the <. hotel and the Bani: of New Zealand. which recently changed hands. was “6.000. A large firm of Taranaki stock agents is understood to have been negotiating for a frontage on the corner or Arawata and George streets in order to open up business in To Awamutu. - Shortage of Houses. . .on tho outskirts of the town a considerable number of residences have been erected. but many more will be required before the housing demand is satisfied. At present there is a definite shortage of modern houses in the borough. Extensive plans were completed some months ago by the Public \Vorks Department for additions to the post tollce, 'but as yet it is not known when the work will he proceeded. The increase in the town’s population has inevitably meant an increase in the postal business, with the result that the present business is inadequate. The proposed additions include the oroction of garages for the postal vehlclos and a storeroom fronting Walton Street. When the work is undertaker: it is proposed to widen part of Sloane Street by H feet to cope with the increasing tramc. The widening process wilt necessitate the reconstruction of several large business premises in the vicinity. Messrs. Middlebrook's butchery will the involved in the scheme and the proprietors intend to build a new up-to-date brick shop. ‘ “loyal-do Improvements. ‘ In recent years large areas of land i in the out-districts have been opened} up to farming and evidence of this ist noted in the increasing businesa at the sa‘leyards. Larger yardlngs havci proved the pens at the yards to be. inadequate and the Borough Council. has extensive plans in hand to alter: the yards and greatly extend the ac-i commodatlon. Large pig and sheepi _ pens will be lbullt and provision for a 3 road through the yards is made. ‘ Further signs or progress may be‘ soon a short way out. of the borough, ‘ on the Patarangt Road, where the New Zsaland Co-operattve Dairy Company is constructing a large modern pig farm. Although work has been in progress for three months there is still a considerable amount to do before the ram: will be in mil operation. The undertaking is considered the biggest of its kind in New Zealand.