The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 19, 1901. WATER SUPPLY REPORTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 15, 19 January 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 19, 1901. WATER SUPPLY REPORTS.

The question of obtaining a thoroughly independent report from Mr Mestayer, of Wellington, on the important matter of a borough waterworks and water supply, has opened up another channel for discussion. It is claimed by a section of the Borough Council that the reports of other engineers who have on previous occasions instituted inquiries into the requirements of the borough should be forwarded to Mr Mestayer to assist that gentleman in coming to a decision and framing his report. There can be no gainsaying the fact that the reports of other engineers, having been paid for, are the absolute property of the municipality, and that consequently the Borough Council has a perfect right to do as it pleases with its own possessions. There can be no objection to the contention that the fullest possible information should be afforded Mr Mestayer, but we question the judgment, at this stage, of supplementing information with the individual opinions of the other engineers who have previously reported on the important question of a borough water supply. We take it that Mr Mestayer merely asks for the information obtained, not for the opinions expressed, by these engineers. But we must have sufficient confidence in the gentleman's circumspection and engineering capabilities to believe that even with these opinions at his elbow Mr Mestayer’s judgment would be perfectly unbiassed and his report a thoroughly independent one. What we would strongly urge, however, is that the Council arrange for at least a preliminary personal inspection by Mr Mestayer, so that th? data collected on the question may be complete and thoroughly reliable. Too much attention cannot be given to this important detail. The dissemination of the information obtained by other engineers on the same subject cannot possibly do harm. The circulation of expeat opinions based on that information may—we do not say that it will—have some influencing effect upon the mind of the recipient. But were the Council to impress on Mr Mestayer the fact that they expect a thorough and careful personal examination, and an independent collection of data, the best interests of the borough will be conserved, and one of the most comprehensive and valuable reports on the question of water-works and water supply for Gisborne placed at the disposal of our municipal authorities. It is fairly certain that the only report from which Mr Mestayer can gain definite informar tion is that of Mr Boylan, but what is re. quired is not his opinion on that or any other report, but his opinion based on his own |

It is the intention of Mr David Dobbie to stand for election as one of the country representatives of the Gisborne Harbor Board.

.A Dunedin telegram states:—Owing to the high prices ruling for fat stock at present, butchers have decided to again raise the cash price of meat.

Sir Westby Percival is to be asked to contest the Patea seat in the interest of “ purity of Administration,” which both sides claim as their political creed. Reports of an alarming nature have got abroad about prowlers in Aberdeen road. We understand that the affair is of small importance, with a vein of humor in it.

Messrs Grandfield and Patterson, of the Motu, will soon have a sawmill at work. Mr Patterson was in town yesterday, and stated that the mill soon be in full forking order. _ The TVanaka (a telegram last night advises) sailed at 5.30 p.m. for Timaru. Further advioe from the same port states that the Moana sailed at 5.30 last evening for Port Chalmers. The winners in the euchre tournament at the N.Z. Native Association in the first round, continued last night, were R. O’Neill, P. Maher, and E. File, and in the second R. O’Neill and M. Nasmith.

The way the fine timber in the Motu is being sacrificed is shameful. The settlers must burn the bush. off to get some return from the land, but it is a great pity that some means cannot be taken to prevent the burning of so much valuable timber.

A meeting is to be held nest Saturday night at the Motu, with the object of starting a dairy factory. That district is well suited for dairying, the difficulty in the way being the lack of suitable roads to enable the produoe to be brought to markets. Messrs Wyllie and Mason should have a very busy time at their auction mart to day. At ten o’clock they hold their ordinary produce sale, to be followed at 11.30 by a sale of drapery, which will be continued in the afternoon. The horse sale will be held a't one o’clock sharp. During the past few days several herds of oxen in splendid condition have arrived in Gisborne from the northern coastal ports, while some large flocks of well grown sheep have also passed through. The wagons running up the coast have been well laden with wool bales, and the quality of the fleece has been highly spoken of. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr W. A.Barton, S.M., W. Adair sued David Dawson for the sum of £5 ss, for rent of a shop and storeroom. The question in dispute had regard to the length of notice required to be given by the tenant when vacating the premises. After hearing evidence His Worship gave judgment for the amount claimed with costs £1 6s. Mr W. L. Rees appeared for the plaintiff. At the Theatre Royal at noon to-day Messrs Commom, Shelton and Co. will offer for sale by public auction several choice country properties, particulars of which will be seen by advertisement in another column. The properties are within easy distance of town, being on the Gisborne-Ormond road, and the terms of sale are most advantageous to persons investing. Mr J. B. Kells will act as auctioneer.

In connection with the charges at the Rotorua baths, mention of which has been made in Trims telegrams, it is stated that word has been received from the Hon. J. G. Ward, rescinding the rules laid down on January 1. Baths are now obtainable for visitors at 6d, and for residents at 3d, towels included. Tickets may be obtained singly, or in lots of 25, for 10s for visitors, and 5s for residents. Private baths, 8d for visitors, 4d for residents, towels provided. All bathing garments are strictly prohibited. Anyone' suffering from contagious disease must take a pvivate bath, for which he will be charged the same priee’as residents, 4d. Much satisfaction is said to prevail over the new system of administration.

Mr Alexander Mcßaey, who is in partnership with Mr J. Sisterson in the Baey station, Te Arai, returned to Gisborne after his trip Home on Thursday last, and during the last two or three days has been heartily welcomed back by his many friends in this district. Mr Mcßae was present at the Matawhero sale yesterday renewing old acquaintanceship, and during the afternoon had a few minutes’ conversation with the Times representative. He stated that he found his native town, Inverness, very much changed during the 37 years he had been away, and few of his friends of former days were there to welcome him. The early part of his trip was marred somewhat by the death of Mr Mcßeath, who was to have accompanied him Home, and he had gone so far as to take out a passage for his friend and engaged a birth in the same steamer that he himself was travelling by. Mr Mcßaey was nine months away from Gisborne, and four months of that time were spent in Scotland. ‘‘New Zealand,” he said, “ was very much talked of in every place I visited, and the sending of our contingents to the front had certainly been an excellent advertisement for us.” There was no place to his mind like this colony, and although his friends did their utmost to prevail upon him to remain at Home they did not succeed in doing, so. After a residence of thirty-seven years in this colony he found it too oold and too wet in Scotland to remain there, and after visiting the many places with which he had as a young man been familiar, he returned to the “ land of the moa,” better satisfied with it than ever. He went to England by the Suez route, travelling by the Orizaba, and had a most enjoyable trip, being able to boast on his return that he was not sick one day during the voyage. He found it very hot going through the canal, but the accommodation provided was excellent. Mr McRaey speaks in high terms of the possibilities of the frozen meat trade, and believes that it can still be much developed.