WATER SUPPLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 311, 11 January 1902, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY.

(To tho Editor of tho Times ) Slit, —I see by your report of Wednesday night's proceedings re water supply, etc., I am made to state that Mr Lysnar knew nothing about it. Now, the truth is someone was sitting behind me continually interjecting “Question?” I told him to shut up. When Mr Lysnar asked “ What is the Question ?" I said, “ take no notice —ho knows nothing about it." The reporter caught the last part, hence the mistake. I consider Mr Lysnar deserves the thanks of the community for the disinterested trouble he has taken. The Rev. Williams licked him over, and then tried to swallow him, without effect. Mr Rees spoke about the Yan Yean reservoir that supplies Melbourne and suburbs. I was there both before and at tho time it was building. The whole of the valley from Whittlcsea up is black, soapy . elay, very different to Waihirere. A dam was built, and in ease of drought, the river Plenty can and is turned into it, by sluice gates. How history does repeat itself. Wool was low and Melbourne in a state of stagnation. I can understand the agitation, for tho expenditure of £75,000. The merchants not receiving the usual orders from the country, looked for a share of the expenditure. If the output only increases £IOO a month, he can afford to pay extra rates. How Mr Townley can continue to advocate a water scheme is beyond my comprehension. Every time, during several years past, whenever it was brought forward, it has poured with rain. They say the stars in their courses fought against Cicero. Surely the elements fight against this. It was to have been brought forward six weeks ago, but the powers thought it better to wait until the hot, dry month of January—when tanks would be empty and people would vote for it. I left the meeting after hearing two lawyers and a parson. I had hoped to hear something from the scores of workingmen who have little homes of their own. I was disappointed, but they will know how to vote. The valuation will be nearly double next year, without the water and drainage rates. Your contemporary forecasts success, because the polling day is the anniversary of the death of our late beloved Queen. I think it will be the death of the Gisborne water scheme. Working men ! Take the tip of an old resident who is not exactly a fool, and vote against it for three reasons : It is not for the sake of health, Waihirere is too porous, and last, but not least, we cannot afford it.— I am, etc., W. Thakeatt,