THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1882. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2534, 23 May 1882, Page 3

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1882. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Me. 11.I 1 . Jones appears to be the only gentleman chosen at the late election for the Drainage Board who understands the difference between a nominated and an elected representative. A nominated representative is chosen by the powers that be on the ground of general standing and capacity. Once nominated the line he may taka is pretty well open to him, and he is free to use his own judgment in the choice of what ho may consider the course that should bo adopted, and, in nine case out of ten, is unhampered by his nominators. An elected representative, on the other hand, is bound to a certain extent by the wishes of his constituency. If he find it necessary from conscientious motives to take up a platform which is not that on which ho was elected, he should at the earliest opportunity meet his constituents and explain to them the reasons which have led him to act as he has done. If he finds that a very general concensus of opinion among the persona who elected him exists that he no longer represents their views, and that his action has not been for the good of the people and district he represents, then it is his manifest duty to resign his position. If this is not the true view of the case of what use are post-sessional addresses. If a member is elected to work his own sweet will for three whole years why take up useless time in consulting a constituency ? Take the case of Mr. Allwright, for instance. When first chosen by the inhabitants of Lyttelton as member he wont up to Parliament, and found that he could not, consonantly with his convictions, support the Grey Government. After the session was over what did ha do ? Did he refuse to explain the matter to the gentlemen to whom he owed his seat ? By no means. Ho met them boldly and honorably—for better or for worse—and showed them the reasons which had led to his course in Parliament. His views were considered reasonable, and he has enjoyed the confidence of the constituency ever since. But take the course adopted by all the members of the Drainage Board except Mr. Jones. They were elected on the full understanding that solid matter was not to be allowed into the sewers. They certainly did not pledge themselves, but the compact was, nevertheless, an understood one. The constituencies had plainly manifested their will for several successive years, and wo are confident that they never dreamt for an instant that this indication was misunderstood by the gentlemen they decided to choose. But those members entirely abandon tho lines on which they were supposed to be elected, and they at the same time utterly refuse to give an account of their stewardship. Instead of boldly meeting their constituencies, and explaining why they have made' this iiomaraault, they call what they are

.pleased to term a meeting of representative gentlemen, and think to ; fortify themselves by obtaining the views of those persons in favour of their scheme. But what right had the Board to think that they could be , fortified by such a proceeding? Did the gentlemen they asked to meet them place them in their seats P What did this mean but imply that the will of the constituencies was nothing to the Board, and that they placed the opinion of the scattered units they chose to invite above the opinions of their constituencies. We look upon this move on the part of the Board as a downright insult to the Drainage Board electors. Besides, on what grounds were the persons they invited placed in their official seats ? Take a member of a Road Board for instance. Was he elected because he knew anything about drainage ? Certainly not. He was elected presumably because he was well up in Boad Board matters. Of what special value then are his views on the drainage question ? None whatever. If the invited gentlemen had been drainage specialists there might possibly have been some excuse for the Board’s move, but even then they should have at once met their constituents and placed before them the consensus of opinion arrived at by such specialists, and asked the sanction of the body of the people for the ■ measure they contemplate. All this, however, is not seen by the Board. Indeed, none are so blind as those who do not choose to see. The only thing that is capable of moving the Board is a downright rising of the constituencies against their action. We presume that even the Drainage Board will be bent from their purpose if the various constituencies, assembled in public meetings, declare distinctly that they will have none of this scheme of the Board’s. If they show plainly that they are the master and the Board is the creature, we have little fear of the result.

We were beginning to fear that people were going to sleep over this matter. The many-headed-one is slow to ronse, and an active minority can, and does, often take advantage of this peculiarity. But the late meeting at Phillipstown is a cheering indication that the public is beginning to rouse itself. The resolution then passed, with only one dissentient voice, affirmed that the meeting pledged itself to do all in its power to prevent the passing of the Bill which the Drainage Board has announced its intention to ask Parliament to sanction. So much for the result of one member of the Board consulting his constituents. If all of the Board were to act as fearlessly as Mr. Jones the matter would soon be at an end. But as the other members seem determined to act in a hole-and-corner manner, let the people take the matter in tkoir own hands, and by public meetings show clearly what they are determined shall be done.

As for the contention that the Bill is a Permissive Bill, there is nothing in this. The evil effects of conveying solid matter into the sewers will be felt just as severely when a few people nse them as when everybody in the city does. The Board, if they think to shelter themselves behind the permissive clauses, show clearly that they have not grasped the subject. It is the public health that is in question, and a few can work detrimental to that health just as well as a large number. If there were no risk in so conveying away excreta, then we shonld say let there bo nothing permissive in any Bill that might bo brought forward, for the system would then be a good one, and shonld he generally enforced, just as the pan system is at present. The Board may as well make up its mind that the opinion of the public is fixed] that it is not advisable that solid matter be placed in the sewers, and that the proposed Hushing power is totally inadequate to requirements. If there were in existence a well devised water scheme, and flushing power was abundant, the question would be widened, and the general consideration might be entertained whether general experience has proved that sewers furnish the best method of removing solid matter. At present the matter lies in a nutshell, and the residents in the Drainage District have not the slightest difficulty in making up their minds. Frankenstein, in Mrs. Shelly’s weird story, having created a man, found that the creature was altogether beyond control, and the remainder of his existence was spent in pursuing his work of art with a view of preventing it doing mischief. The public, in like manner, have called into existence a Board whoso performances are causing it the deepest anxiety. The last that was seen of Frankenstein was when he was pursuing his man into the Arctic regions with a view of catching him at the Pole. The best possible denouement of the present crisis will he for the residents in the various districts to hunt their members on to the public platform, and there show them that they are not absolute masters of the situation.