The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1886.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 114, 6 March 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1886.

The Borough Council

In our report of tlio proceedings of j tlie Borough Council at its meeting on Thursday, it will be seen that the J Councillors " had a hard pill to swallow" when they agreed to pay I)r Johnstox his own price, £50, for the diversion of the Makino stream. They had only the unpleasant alternatives left of either paying what they all considered an exorbitant price, or of taking the land required under the powers given by the Public Works Act. As the latter course would have involved the Borough in expenses probably greater than the sum named, they chose the least of the two evils. In this the}' were wisein their generation inasmuch as the work of diverting the stream is absolutely necessary to have done, and that with as little delay as possible. Had they adopted the other course, both time and money would have been uselessly wasted. We have to point out to Councillor- — with all humility and respect — that there was no occasion whatever f or them — either individu illy or collectively — to use such hard terms in connection with the price required by the owner of the land. They appeared to entirely forget that he would have stultified himself had he receded in his demand. It is not too much to assume that lie knew perfectly well, when he named his price, he had the CWneil at his mercy. Under the circumstances we are perhaps a little surprised at his modem-, tion. On the whole we think the Council has made a much better bargain than they at present believe.