The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 13 1902. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 312, 13 January 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JANUARY 13 1902. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

It is evident that the fight for a water supply and drainage scheme for Gisborne is to be no easy one. The opponents are being ably lead, and have shown that they are determined to lose no opportunity that may be offered for the defeating of the scheme, What is required on the affirmative is a leaguo or committee that will organiso the forces of those who desire to have Gisborno supplied with water and drainage. It would be their duty to have matters placed fairly before tho people, to chock every stop made by the opponents, to combat their arguments, analvso and set right their figures, and generally to conduct a vigorous campaign that will ensure a satisfactory test vote, whatovor may be tho result. There is not the same need for organisation of the opposition. It will mainly come from ' those who object to even the slightest increase in rates, and wo may bo sure that those who take such objection will rally at the poll in their full force. The Council seoms to consider it has done its duty by meroly giving the bare formal notifications, and has now apparently let the matter slide. We are now face to face with the fact that if tho Waihirere scheme is rejectod, Gisborne people may give up hope of having a water supply for ten to twenty years to come, and the least that the Council can do is to keep the fact prominently before the people. It is better, in tho interests of both sides, that there should be heavy polling, and then if the majority persist in saying that Gisborne is to continue in the same unsatisfactory sanitary condition, aggravated as the years go by, the minority will have to submit to it as conclusive, though the submission may not be a contented one. At any rate, there should be gome organising of the forces of those who desire to see the town provided with water and drainage, for it is clear that the opponents are energetic, are persuasive in verbal argument, and facile with the pen.