THE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2088, 14 January 1908, Page 2

THE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

SOME FURTHER OPINIONS. SCHEME THOUGHT TO BE 100 COSIJux. If £125,000 is borrowed for tlio dniilingo scheme, as proposed, tho extra rating will amount Co Is Gd, at tlio computation oi o pci cent Jo interest, in addition to sinking luad. yonio further opinions on Hie schemo arc published, and all those seen seem U, think that tho sum mentioned is out of Gisborne’s reach. RATES ALREADY JOO HIGH. Mr. A. Fordo Matthews was in favor of tho report, but he said that tho method adopted was very expensive. A schemo without the Shone system would break down iptlwut a shadow of doubt. Gisborno could not afford tlio expense of the scheme, as the rates were too much ulicady v/itli prosperous tunes. Ilns schemo was the only one, but it was too much for the borough to adopt at tho present time. The land was all hat, there was no flow, and pumping would have to bo resorted to. Ihen tlieio would bo tho expense of working the plant and two engines would bo required in case one went wrong. DRAINAGE SHOULD GROW WITH

THE TOWN. Mr Lissant Clayton had considerable diffidence in expressing an opinion, hut it seemed to him that the expense was enormous for a town or this size, but ho auito supported drainage to relievo the more congested portions, and the drainage should grow with the town. Regarding the alternative scheme, ho did not know what portions it was proposed to exclude and it would not do ior a part only to benefit. Jl'liey could not got out of the necessity for making provision for drainage, hut there was objection to a pumping scheme which .was always liable to breakdowns, file rating would bo too great and it was beyond tho means of the town unless it advanced very considerably, plow that wo had tho water, the town would undoubtedly become insanitary without drainage. The fact that two engineers ageed looked as if it was tho only hope, but it v here was a divergence of opinion, it might be another story. NOT NECESSARY AT PRESENT. Mr Sievwright gave Ills opinion as follows:—“You have asked me to express my opinion on the subject of Hie proposed; sewerage scheme for Gisborne and I am willing to do so. L do not, of course, profess to have technical knowledge, but t-lio Shone system is probably the most practicable for Gisborne, if a sewerage scheme, by pipes,- is to bo carried nit, Ido not, however, think that :t is at all a necessity at present, and 1 feel confident that a proper pan method of dealing with the sewerage ;f Gisborne would servo tho borough well for sanitary purposes for years to come. Carried out thoroughly ■ b is, I believe, the most effective method of all within small areas, as in this ease, and the product, treated for manorial purposes, ought to be if some value. Ido not believe that the residents of Gisborne will consent to vote money for such an expensive proposed. The pan system, with provision for carrying away storm water, etc., from the streets, should serve all needful purposes.” CHEAP TEMPORARY SCHEME WANTED.

Mr. G. Grant said that he had not 'one into the question of cost, but .iven the maintenance capitalised was a very serious item. People would have to pay about £2O per head for the scheme and this wa.s_ a tremendous thing, and the Council should endeavor to get; some other cheap system to do for some years for about £30,000 or £40,000. The full scheme would probably mean an extra rate of Is 9d. and this was too much. GENERAL ADVERSE OPINION. A number of other gentlemen seen on the subject said that they had no special knowledge, but speaking from a business point of view, they, while admitting the necessity for a drainage scheme for Gisborne, thought the figures quoted, and the consequent rating too high, and beyond reach for a time at least.