The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1908. THE 'SEWERAGE SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2114, 13 February 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1908. THE 'SEWERAGE SCHEME.

There are many .features in connection with the sewerage scheme advocated by Mr. Mestayer that win need to be carefully considered before the ratepayers give their vote upon this vital matter. AVe have already pointed out the need for very great caution before committing a comparatively small community to so heavy an expenditure as £90,000, together with the heavy maintenance charges incidental to the pumping scheme. Another aspect that needs attention is the fact that it will cost the tenant or owner of every .property that >is to he connected with the main sewer, quite a substantial sum to secure this connection, so .that the total cost, one way wild another, will be a very serious item. It has been urged hv those favoring (be adoption of the scheme that it is only reasonable that all ratepayers should hear a share of the expense of the initial work, even though many will not be served by the system for years to come. The argument in this commotion is that a largo part of the expense in the initial outlay will bo due to the fact that the work will he part of the complete scheme from which all will benefit. AA T e are also reminded that tile sewerage scheme, although not dealing with more than a limited portion of storm miter, will be capable of handling house slops, -a point that was overlooked when we touched upon the question in yesterday’s is-

sue. As a matter of fact, although this aspect of the subject was discussed in committee, it was not referred to in. the brief -discussion which ensued in open Council, ami thus the Councillors favoring the scheme, failed to emphasise a most important point. On the other si-do of the argument will come the views of those 'ratepayers who will steadfastly refuse to register a vote 'that will saddle thorn 'wi.t-h a heavy rate, from which they cannot derive any immediate benefit. Their attitude may not be patriotic, but it is Hie customary wl'.iy of -human nature, and must be reckoned with. Possibly a compromise may be effected, by which thoso ratepayers residing -within tho sewage area will bo called upon to pay a much heavier rating than those who aro outside tho radius. However, these are all points of detail, and while they call for earnest attention, tlr.o -scheme can scarcely be discussed seriously until the finance committee has furnished its -report.