BOROUGH LOAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 902, 28 May 1903, Page 3

BOROUGH LOAN.

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.) Sir,—l was much surprised, as one who took an active part as a" committeeman to secure the success of tho water and draina>’o poll, to noto tho change of ground made at last meeting by tho Mayor. Many of us worked for tho scheme on tho distinct statement that tho voting was to be for or a-ainst Mestayer’s scheme, without modification by any amateur engineer. I was particularly resolute on that point, because as ail old resident I bavo seen so much bungling in harbor matters through attention being paid to amateur engineers. For that reason 1 was most strongly opposed to Cr Lysuar’s AVaimata scheme, prefer* rin" one that had the imprimatur of one of "the leading engineers iu the colony ; that was tiio Waihirere scheme. By departing from bit John Cootie s harbor scheme tho place was thrown back for over a quarter of ft century, and by rejectin" Mestayer’s scliemo for Cr Lysuar’s AVaimata scheme I felt that the district would bo thrown back another 25 years. That would have meant tho humiliation that one had spent his life in a glorious district, the progress of which had been imneded for a great many years through the shocking bungling of local amateur emnneers, of which Gisborne has a plenitude. The Mayor bos no right to vary Mr Mestayer’s plans and figures in any way. AYe voted for a certain thing, and as Mayor of tho town Mr Townley is not justified iu altering the figures in any way, nor are the Council. By your report, I see that in the new poll it is proposed to reduce the amount for drainage from ,630,000 to £24,000. Now, I protest against any such alteration as a breach of faith with those who "voted in favor of Mr Mestayer’s scheme in the original poll.—l am, etc., Frank Harris,