The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, March 19, 1910. WATER AND DRAINAGE POLL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 816, 19 March 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, March 19, 1910. WATER AND DRAINAGE POLL.

Y.rstkrdav’s poll lor a loan of ,£20,000 for a water and drainage scheme for the borough was defeated by a substantial majority. The actual figures were : lor the proposal, 90; against, 150; informal six. The actual number of ratepayers in the proposed area was 422, and as only 246 recorded their votes, it will he seen that more than half exercised their franchise- Ol the number who did not record their votes a fair preceutage were absentees. The result of the poll, however, does not inllicate that a water and drainage scheme is not a pressing necessity. Many who opposed the present proposals did so because they favoured the Shannon scheme, and we now look to them to make good the faith that is in them. If these particular opponents of yesterday’s scheme are in earnest they will set to work immediately and petition the Council to obtain an estimate, and report upon the Shannon scheme. It is possible that a large number of voters who supported the artesian scheme will join issue, because both parties are desrions that the town should be modernised.

A third faction was represented at yesterday’s poll who take as their motto: “ Foxtou: as it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen!’’ Their ideas of hygiene squares with the methods adopted by the children of Israel during the 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Their gospel is to oppose anything and everything which would increase the rates. These peculiar people are to be found in every community, and form a link with the dim and distant past. But one can respect them because of their consistency.

To those who opposed yesterday’s proposal on the above grounds no fault can be found and they are entitled to our respect. But what shall we say of those opponents who used the Shannon scheme merely as a subterfuge and blatantly proclaimed engineer Climie’s estimate as misleading, apd poured distorted facts into the ears ef certain ratepayers in order to influence them agadnst the artesian scheme ? It is safe tq assume that such men can be relied upon to play the role of Judas when the Shannon scheme is propounded. We will then learn that they have discovered yet another scheme to be drawn as a red herring across the track in order to delude those ratepayers who will not think for themselves. Patriotism and progress to them is subservient to selfishness and greed and they hesitate not to intimidate their satellites whom, fiqwever, they will not be able to fool all the time.

The supporters of the defeated artesian scheme have no reason to be discouraged. Owing to the unfortunate illness in the Mayor’s family they were without a leader, and no organised plan of cam-

paigu was laid down, and further, the support accorded the scheme by several councillors was of a decidedly passive nature. To inspire the ratepayers with confidence in the scheme much greater enthusiasm should have been displayed by the civic fathers who approved it. Public life has no room for the man who blows hot and cold. As a preliminary effort the ground has been prepared for ultimate success and we hope there will be no turning back until Foxton is served by an up-to-date water and drainage service.

To those who objected that the money could uot be obtained for the the scheme we direct attention to the telegram which was received by the Mayor from the Prime Minister yesterday, wherein it is stated that the £ 20,000 is granted conditionally at 2> l /i per cent. Had this good news been received prior to yesterday’s poll it would have greatly strengthened the hands of the promoters of the artesian scheme, by still further reducing the total cost. A special word of praise is due to Mr Newman, M.P., for t he assistance he rendered in this respect.