The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1908. FOR THE GOOD OF GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2387, 31 December 1908, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1908. FOR THE GOOD OF GISBORNE.

Nothing that has been published lor some considerable time is so worthy of public attention as the intern view with Air. AY. Aliller that is printed in another column of this issue. Tiie subject raised 1 is by no- means a now one, having been brought up from time to time on several occasions during the past decade. Air. Miller, however, has succeeded in throwing new light upon the subject by quoting the results of his observations during his recent trip abroad. Having seen how easily and perfectly the lock system works on the Thames, he is fully convinced that it could be adopted in Gisborne very much to the advantage of the place. There is no question but that- the removal of the ugly looking and foul smelling mud flats which at present spoil the front of both rivers, would make a vast improvement in the appearance of the town and suburbs. In fact, it can be said without fear of contradiction that were the water maintained at the level of the present high tide, no town in the Dominion could seriously contest with Gisborne in its peturesque and beautiul surroundings. Pleasure boats and launches could use the rivers 1n all parts and at all hours of the day and night, and this would undoubtedly lie a very great boon to the residents of the town. It is quite possible—though this is a point to be reserved for engineering experts —that- the large quantity of water so conserved could periodically be set free for the purpose of flooding the river channel anil clearing the silt from the port entrance. However, this for the present is a side issue, and so far as the Harbor Board interests are concerned, Air. Miller merely contends- that, as Hie commercial traffic, on the river will not be interfered with, that body should have no objections to raise. He looks upon the proposal as purely one for the residents of Gisborne to take up, and this certainly seems to be the proper attitude. The vital question is, of course, the. cost involved, but if a matter of £SOOO to £IO,OOO will suffice to complete the work, it should not prove an insuperable obstacle. The present time, when the borough needs so much in the way of public expenditure on roads and drainage, does not seem particularly opportune for launching the scheme now suggested, but,. after all, it rests Avith the people themselves to say Avliat they Avish to haA'e done. Air. Aliller has - ilono good service by making public the information he has gained upon this subject, and he Avill deserve the gratitude of the community if ho will push the matter on so that tho residents may become fully acquainted Avith all the facts. The next step should be the convening of a public meeting to discuss the position, and it is possible that the gathering which is to be called to discuss the borough loan proposals might provide a convenient- opportunity to formally intro duce the project for locking the rivers.