THE PROPOSED LOAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1003, 23 September 1903, Page 2

THE PROPOSED LOAN.

(To the Editor of tho Times). Sir, -To hoar Mr F. Harris narrate on ,he loan proposals one would iinagino that ihose who opposed tho Waihirere mudworks were against wator and drainage and in favor ot fever. Has it not occurred to Mr Harris that we may go in for Waihirere and get no water, or even succeed in getting a little water thore and still have fever? Gisborne is not the only place in New Zealand where au occasional case of fever occurs. Perhaps Mr Harris will be surprised to hoar that Gisborne is at the present' timo one of the most healthy places in tho colony, and that tho death rate is lower hero than in any othor town. Still this is no argument that we should not have wator. Those who aro opposing tho Waihirere wator supply include many of the most intolligont audpro- [ gressive men in the town who are anxious to see a proper supply of water obtained. | Water is requirod in Gisborne for household purposes, for streets, tires, and industries, and unless wo have a plentiful supply of it the town will never be altogether free from sickness. Can such a supply be obtaiuod from Waihirere? To answer this question ouo only has to take a trip there and inspect it for oneself, and ho should then bo convinced that it is only throwing away money to attempt to get it from thore. We have several fine rivers within oasy distance of Gisborne, where an abundant supply could be obtained —a supply that would be sufficient for all purposes and prove a good investment to the Counoil. With the amalgamation of the suburbs ahead, the Gisborne Freezing Works offering JE6OO per year for water, and many other industries looming in the distance, it would be sheor madness to go for Waihirere, and saddle our progressive town with a second white elephant. Those who aro against Waihirere are not actuated by the motives ascribed by Mr Harris, and when tho present scheme is vetoed and a better one substituted will show him that they are just as philanthropic as he is himself. Moreover, in acting as they are doing at present, it cannot be said that they are seeking a little public popularity. —I am, etc., Plain Bill, e ________