50 years ago

THE revived Hamilton industry, Wooltreat Pty. Ltd., will close in about two weeks. Its closure will put eight men out of work from July 17. It will also mean the third major setback to Hamilton City Council’s industrial expansion program within a month. A principal of the wool buying and processing firm, Mr. Wally Anderson, of Melbourne, is remaining silent over reasons behind Wooltreat’s closure. He told the Spectator yesterday, “I don’t wish to comment on it.” However, the Spectator has been told “eight or nine” men will be without work from July 17. Lack of Government support for decentralisation has been stated as a reason for the closure. Wooltreat is expected to announce officially within two days the termination of the business.

THE committee of management of the Hamilton Showgrounds believes that greyhound interests are no longer keen on establishing a track there and are proceeding with other plans for the ground. This was stated yesterdsy by Mr. Rolly Betts, P & A Society secretary and a director of the reserve, who said it has been 18 months since his committee had heard anything from Hamilton District Greyhound Racing Club. Hamilton Trotting Track has been mentioned as a possible site for a greyhound track, but there is considerable opposition to this from some members of Hamilton District Trotting Club. HDGRC president, Mr. Laurie Franklin, said yesterday his club was still interested in the showgrounds as the site for a greyhound track, but agreed there had been no correspondence with the showground people for more than 18 months.

25 years ago

HAMILTON’S Fosseys store will be expanded by 50 per cent and renamed Target Country. The announcement ends weeks of speculation that the retail chain would establish in the central business district. Shire of Southern Grampians development and tourism director, Leigh Maylor, hailed the expansion as exciting, saying it heralded a boom in Hamilton’s retail sector not seen for more than 10 years. The expansion will encompass the former city centre arcade in Gray St, including the premises currently occupied by Bagstop, which is moving to a new Gray St location. Target-Fosseys communications manager, Antje Janssen, said while a date has been not set for the official opening the, the new store would be unveiled before the end of the year.

HAMILTON travels to Portland today with confidence levels high after regaining two exciting youngsters for its clash against the Tigers in round 12 of Western Border Football League. Wingman Lachie Crawford and half forward flanker, Michael Watt, return to the Magpies’ line-up owing to North Ballarat Rebels having a bye in the under-18 TAC Cup. Crawford and Watt are class players who will add pace and skill to the determined Hamilton side that pushed East to the limit last week. Hamilton secretary, Kevin Riley, said the two Rebels players would definitely strengthen the side, saying the club was happy to have them back. He believed if Watt and Crawford had been playing last week the Magpies would have won the close match against East.