A look back at previous editions of the paper 50 and 25 years ago.
50 years ago
HAMILTON retailers are no closer to solving the prickly problem of late night shopping than they were 12 months ago. At a meeting of retailers yesterday morning it was agreed to take a postal ballot on a recommendation to close on Saturday mornings. But from the tone of the meeting, it was evident that unanimous agreement among traders is a remote possibility. The meeting which was attended by about 25 representatives of retail stores, was told that one of Hamilton’s biggest stores, Millers, would continue to open on Saturday mornings. The general manager of Millers, Mr. H. G. Branchflower, said his store would not open on Friday nights at this stage, but it would definitely open on Saturday mornings.
THE move to have local umpires in charge of all senior matches in the Western Border in 1973 is now almost certain to be shelved. This has been brought about by a lack of central umpires, and the failure of officials of the two main umpire associations to follow up suggestions made at the last WBFL annual meeting. This time last year officials of the Mt. Gambier umpires put forward a tempting pro-position on how to save the league hundreds of dollars in expenses each year. But the proposal appears to have broken down following the failure of the scheme to attract the top men in white from the associations of Warrnambool and the mid South-East.
25 years ago
HAMILTON Base Hospital will require $9 million to redevelop its two aged care facilities with both Hamilton House and Grange Hostel failing a tough new building assessment. Both facilities will have to undergo almost total redevelopment under the Federal Government’s strict aged care reforms to achieve building certification, and then accreditation by January 1, 2001. HBH director of corporate services, Pat Turnbull, said that $2.5 million was needed to be spent atGrange Hostel, while about 6.5 million would be required at the site developed to take the role of Hamilton House, to bring those facilities to an acceptable level.
SOUTHERN Grampians Cycling Club’s fifth application in two years to gain state affiliation was received by Victorian Cycling Incorporated on Wednesday, with a final decision expected to be made on November 5. Victorian Cycling state administrator, Derek Boothroyd, said on Thursday his organisation’s executive would consider the application on October 29 and make a recommendation to the state council, which would vote on the issue at its November meeting. Southern Grampians Cycling Club president, Peter Barker, said this week VCI had “nothing to lose” by affiliating the club as it would then gain an affiliation fee and extra riders as club members not currently licensed would need to gain licences.
