50 years ago
RESPONSE to a Housing Commission call for tenders seems sure to provide evidence of any slackening in Hamilton district’s building trade. The commission has called tenders for the building of 24 commission homes in Hamilton, and they will close on September 3. The homes, from a commission allocation 18 months ago, are expected to be built in West Hamilton. Thirteen homes out of the same allocation are nearing completion. The commission has struggled to interest district builders in contracts since granting the allocation. Most builders have been busy with private development, which has been more attractive than Government work during the building boom. However, a credit squeeze is now limiting private development work during the building boom.
GREENWALD, the most travelled pacer in Australia today, scored a dashing win in the main race at Shepparton trots on Saturday with a mile rate of 2.6.4. Owner – trainer, Mr Jack McGrath, says the horse has chalked up 3000 miles in the last five weeks, and that’s nothing to what he travelled in his younger days winning races inn four states. Saturday’s win was his 54th, which includes two at the Melbourne Royal Show. It was his 26th win when driven by Ted Jennings. Greenwald was successful earlier this month at Hamilton coming off the backmark of 40 metres. There was a mix-up in the time of that race, and TCB officials have since recognised the mile rate as about 2.12, and not 2.9.
25 years ago
A HAMILTON businessman is pushing for Sheepvention to become a three-day event. David Boag, of Country Spun Wool, said a survey conducted at this month’s event showed a majority of traders supported further expanding Hamilton’s biggest event. Mr Boag said spreading Sheepvention from Sunday to Tuesday would attract more people from outside the Western District. But Sheepvention president, Alistair Stewart said previous attempts to extend the event had proved unsuccessful, although he added the organising committee would look at any options which could improve it. A survey, conducted by a person employed by Mr Boag, of about half the 520 traders at this year’s Sheepvention showed about 51 per cent supported moving to three days, 40 per cent did not support the proposal and nine percent were undecided.
HAMILTON Imperials’ nail-biting three-point loss to North Gambier on Saturday has “given the top sides something to look at for the finals”, according to Bulldogs coach, Dean Jenkinson. Jenkinson believed the performance of his team in Western Border Football League’s last home and away round was enough the gain the respect of the other finalists, holding the Bulldogs in good stead for next week’s elimination final. After leading at every break in the game, Imperials finally succumbed to the intense pressure placed on it with a goal to North Gambier’s Matthew Patzel sealing the win in the last 30 seconds of the game. In other round 18 matches, Hamilton held on to score a two-point win over Millicent, South Gambier annihilated a disappointing Casterton, Heywood received a football lesson from East Gambier and West Gambier overpowered Portland.
