BOROUGH LOAN PROPOSALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1002, 22 September 1903, Page 3

BOROUGH LOAN PROPOSALS.

OBJECTIONS TO WAIHIRERE WATER SUPPLY.

A public meeting of ratepayers to consider tho Jo an proposals was held in the Academy of Music last evening, Captain Tucker presiding. Thoro was a largo attendance, and considerable interest was taken in tho proceedings. The Chairman, in opening tho proceedcoedings, said that the meeting was one of tho most important over hold in Gisborne. He thought that the thanks of the ratepayers were due to tho gentlemen who had taking a loading part in regard to favoring or opposing the loan proposals. Ho hoped to see the Waibirore water scheme vetoed on Wednesday, for ho was satisfied there was not a sufficient supply there for Gisborne. Ho was sure that a better scheme would be obtained when the present one was knocked out. (Applause.) Mr W. D. Lysnar endorsed tho remarks of the Chairman in regard to tho good spirit in which tho contest was being carried on. Ho contended that tho Council had never given tho proposals the consideration that they deserved, but had at

all times sat still, deeming it their business to defend Mr Mostayer. In fact, odd council or had gone so far as to say that no member of the Council was capable of criticising Mr Mestayer’s proposals. The speaker continuing, pointed out that tho Nelson Borough Council had throwu out Mr Mestayer’s drainage scheme on tho ground that it was too costly. Tho same objection had been made by Cr Whinray and himsolf in regard to the present proposals. Thoy contended that the Waihirere water supply waß too doubtful a worK for them to undertake. He complained that the Council, although thoy had expressed their inability to criticise tho engineer’s proposals, had not scrupled

to altor tho engineer’s figures, and had altered tho report to suit themselves. Mr Lysnar replied at some length to the lotters written during tho present weok by the Mayor. He contended that the scheme that the Mayor was asking them to vote upon provided for an oight inch main only, and this would not give thorn fire pressure. In tho loan proposals no provision was made for pumping in regard to the drainage, nor was provision made for repairs and up-keep. Tho plan that had been issued by the Mayor, showing the different parts of the Borough that were to be served by water and drainage, was not correct, and should not have been placed before the electors. There should bo a correct plan brought out. Mr Dunlop : Why don't you draw it yoursolf ? Mr Lysnar : I think I have done quite enough in connection with these proposals. Perhaps a little too much for some people. (Applause and laughter.) , Continuing, Mr Lysnar said that on the water proposal alone the Council wore £9OOO short, and this would have to come off the amount set down for reticulation. He replied to the figures quoted by Mr Townley, who had stated that a 2s special rate only would be required, and showed that on a property of £SO rateable value the cost would be £l7 la 6d per year. The town badly wanted water, but they could not afford a scheme which was of so doubtful a nature. Thoy could not afford to run any risk, and on that account should insist on a source which would supply plenty of pure water, which they could not get from Waihirere. (Applause.) Passing on, Mr Lysnar urged the necessity of amalgamation with the suburbs in order that they might have a good supply for the three places. Assessed on the capital value, tho three places could far better afford to go in for a much larger scheme than the borough could undertake the present one. The borough proposals at present meant a ratepayer mortgaging his property to the extent of one-fifth, which would leave only two-fifths for them to borrow on. The present proposals would cause people to flee from the borough to the suburbs. They should not dream of undertaking any proposal that did not provide water for industries. At present they had an offer from the Gisborne freezing works to give £6OO per year for water, but they oould never supply them from Waihirere, nor would they attempt to do so. Mr Harris : Are you sure it is £6OO ? Mr Lysnar : The Chairman of the County Council has stated so, and you should not doubt it.

Captain Tucker : The Harbor Board have the o2er in writing. (Applause.) In conclusion, Mr Lysnar urged all present to strike out the top line of the voting paper. (Applause.) At a previous eleotion he hhd asked them to strike out the bottom lines, but this time he advised them strongly to “ strike out the top line.” (Applause.) Mr J. East, in the course of an excellent speech, showed that there had been a considerable advance in the ratos paid since 1901, and the Mayor promised them that there would be another rise shortly. In a short time they would have Mr Reynolds in Gisborne, and if they were not satisfied with his report they could get some one else. (Applause.) He wa3 sure that the Waihirere source would be passed over, for from the look of all present he could see that they were all “ top liners.” (Laughter.) When he read Mr Mestayer’s book ho imagined that he was reading a fairy tale. (Laughter.) In conclusion Mr East said that it would be a serious thing for the town to adopt the Waihirere scheme, for in a dry season there would be no water there. (Applause.) Mr Sievwright regretted that the Chairman had not called upon “ Mr Dooley ” to address the meeting, for no doubt he would have enlivened the proceedings. (Laughter.) He considered that those opposed to Waihirere had been maligned by those in favor of the scheme, in stating that they were opposed to water. He emphatically denied that he was opposed to water. He was more anxious for it than most of the Councillors, but he wanted a proper Bcheme. Whilst he had a great respect for expert

opinion, ho had resolved from experience to receive with some reserve and caution the conclusions they arrived at. In this particular case the conclusion arrived at by the Council and Mr Mestayer was an erroneous one. The ratepayers should be guided by their own commonsense to some extent. He assured the aiudionce that he was not going to follow any expert, when his own commonsense showed him that they were taking a wrong course. (Applause.) Mr Mestayer had been brought to Gisborno not to report on all the sources in the district, but simply to report on the Waihirere scheme. Had there been any other object in view he would have been asked to stop and perambulate other parts of the district to see a proper supply could be got. Mr Townley had twitted him (the speaker) with not finding a source, but he did not see that it was his business to do

this. _ Had Mr Mestayer gone round the district ho could easily have picked out a much more suitable place both for quantity and quality. It was much better to spend another £25,000 and get a proper supply. (Applause.) “Wo are not going to take up a two-penny half-penny parochial schemo liko this Waihirere, which will in a few years, leave us with a white olephant,” addod Mr Sievwright. “Wo must do all we can to work against it. I do not think that I want to say anything more. I shall leave the drainage alone° but I hope you will have sense onough to know that we do not want a small pipo or suction system. Wo shall find ourselves in great trouble if we attempt it.” (Applause.) Mr E. G. Matthews said that they had already one white elephant in tho breakwater on hind, and it appeared that they desired anothor in Waihirere. Tho Council wore much put out because the plans of the Engineer had been oritieised, but was it not bettor to havo other experts to confirm what Mr Mestayer had stated rather than rush into a great expenditure and repent of it when it was too late? Did they in the affairs of life -often call in a second lawyer or doctor, and was it not advisable to do so at the present juncture? The Council should have Mr Mestayer’s opinions confirmed by other experts, He did not think there was the slightest chance of getting the insurance rates lowered, for the water supply from Waihirore would not bo as good as the salt water supply they now had. Old residents would remember what promises the Mayor gave in regard to the reduction in insurance before the present fire engine was purchased, but had thoso promises been fulfilled ? No, thoy had not, nor were they iikely to be in the present case. Tho rates had not gone down, but on the other hand Continued on page 4.

In reference to the price of meat, Mr Noah Wood, of Auckland, writing to the New Zealand Herald says: Your interview with certain leading butchers and Mr. Clifton was sufficiently startling, showing a shortage of 1,400,000 sheep in the oolony, as against last year ; it also explained the present scarcity, and justified the proposed trade advance. Still, there is no cause for alarm, as fat stock is invariably scarcest in the spring. Two or three months will, in all probability, see prices again reduced. ‘ Two factors will operate ti secure this result—first, present prices will effectually prohibit purchasing for export, and second, the early lambs will soon be in, thus easing the pressure on the market. It is to be hoped that the breeders will resist the temptation to sell tho ewe lambs this season, let the prices be what they will, as it is evidentto every man of common sense that we need every head for breeding purposes.

NEW SPRING AND SUMMER GOODS, imported direct—Now on view. A lovely lot of the Latest Novelties bought by our London buyer. Be sure and see them at C, ROSIE & CO.’S.