CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2170, 21 April 1908, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must bo distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents.] THE MAYORALTY. [To the Editor.] Sir, —Allow me to point out that Mr. Lvsnar, in liis published address to the Burgesses, is very inaccurate and misleading in his ii-efcrences to Mr. Mestayer’s proposals about drainage. The only way I can account for it is that Mr. Lysnar lias not taken the trouble to read the report which lie: is criticising. The circumstances connected with tlio obtaining of that report have been published more than onco, but at the risk of wearying your readers I should like to refer briefly to them. Mr. Mestayer was requested to report on a scheme that would be suitable for the wliolo Borough, although the Council had not the least intention of immediately providing for the parts which are at‘ present sparsely inhabited. Accordingly -lie supplied a scheme at an estimated total cost of £125,000 plus an undefined extra amount for raising tho loan, paying tlio first year’s interest, and acquiring tho right of easement over or purchasing tho land traversed by the outfall sewer. This scheme, ho considers will supply tho needs of a population of 30,000. Mr. Mestayer knows the present population, and knows that it is a far cry to 30,000. Accordingly in his report he says,— ''l estimate that £83,000 will lie amplo to cary out tho work which will he required until the population amounts to about 12,000, and other areas can bo included from time to time as increase of population may render necessary, without in any way interfering with completed work or aiiy interruption to the regular flow of sewago from those areas first connected to the outfall.” It is that modified scheme of, say £90,000 that a number of the Council are advocating. The proposal is to borrow £50,000 at once, and of tho balance, half in five years and half in ton. Its advocates feel that it is a rather heavy burden, hut they believe they will get efficiency, and with the town increasing in population and prosperity they believe that in ten years time the burden of £90,000 will not bo, individually, much if any, heavier than that of the initial £50,000. Tlio alteration from £125,000 to £90,000 necessitates a corresponding reduction in Mr. Lysnar’s figures. Tho cost of pumping should bo £llsO not £2OOO, and the total cost £5200 not £7625.

I have HO' wish to discuss any other part of Mr. Lysnar’s address. He holds out an alluring prospect to the ratepayers, but if lie lias been as careless in the preparation of his other schemes, as ho has been in the way he has put his objections to Mr. Mestayer’s scheme, then it is evident that both liis address and his figures will need most rigorous examination before they can bo accepted as wellgrounded or correct. —I am etc. a E. IT. MANN.