DRAINAGE FOR GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2339, 4 November 1908, Page 5

DRAINAGE FOR GISBORNE.

DISCUSSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A FURTHER ADJOURNMENT

The question of drainage for Gisborne was further considered by the Borough Council last nighti at the conclusion of the ordinary business. Cr. Whinray moved that the whole question of drainage be held over for twelve months, as with the loan proposals coming on, the time was not, in his'opinion, opportune. Cr. Sawyer seconded the motion.

Cr. Pettie was not in favor of a long postponement iri the matter of drainage. If they had made up their minds to adopt Air. Alesta3 T er’s scheme the3 r could well afford to go in for the expenditure of £15,000 for the outfall sewer, and could do so without adding to their rate of 2s, owing to the increased valuation of the borough during the next five 3 r cars. He felt that the matter should be put to the ratepayers an accordance with tho resolution at present, on the books of the Council, approving of Air. Mestayer’s scheme. lie was satisfied that Haiti would adopt the suggestion of being connected with the outfall sewer, and the other districts seeing the advantage of the scheme would be .anxious to come in. although it might mean a fairly heavy rate for a start. He thought an opportunity should be given to the people of voting for an additional £15,000 with the loan proposals, to commence a scheme of drainage.

Cr. Sheridan opposed the proposed postponement of the drainage scheme. He had been given to understand that the drainage proposals should go before the ratepayers at the same time as the loan proposals. Cr. Williams said that the question of drainage was the most important one in Gisborne at the present time. There was a crying need for an efficient sanitary system, owing to the rapidly congesting state of the town. It was .absurd that the question of roads should take the precedence of that of drainage. The Mayor regretted that the motion had como forward at all. They need have no fear, as it had been shown that they could go in for a scheme without .any additional rate for six years. IB was simply wasting time to restrict the question to one of an outfall sewer only. They were strong enough financially to go in for drainage, and must move with the times. Cr. Somervell said that drainage ought to take precedence over the roads question, otherwise it would only, mean pnting down roads and then tearing them up again to put down the drain pipes. - ‘ The motion, on being put to the meeting, as lost- by 7 to 2. Several Councillors were m .favor of deferring the question until the proposals could be put together before the ratepayers, and eventually it was decided, on the motion of Cr Pettlie, that the matter of the loan proposals be not put before the ratepayers until some decision bad been arrived at on th equestion of drainage. The Mayor urged Councillors not to unduly delay the (road, proposals account of drainage,'-and ft was decided that a- special meeting to consider a drainage scheme be held 1 on Friday, November 20th.