The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 19, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1210, 19 February 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 19, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The Shannon residents held a meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the proposals of the Foxton Borough Council in respect to the proportion of cost allocated to Shannon in the combined water supply scheme, viz., Foxton two thirds, Shannon one third cost of head work and main to Shannon. If a catchment area is required, both parties to pay equal cost. The meeting unanimously agreed to the terms submitted by the Foxton Council and pledged itself to do all in its power to assist Foxton in carrying a loan for such purpose. Although the Borough Council has fixed the proportions as mentioned above, it does not follow that its actions will be endorsed by the ratepayers. It is for the Mayor, at a special meeting, to convince the local people that the Council’s proposals are fair and equitable. At present, opinion is divided on the point and unless a satisfactory explanation is forthcoming the long-deferred and necessary water and drainage scheme will be further postponed. Local ratepayers should give the question of dual control the most careful consideration before binding themselves to an agreement which they may have cause to regret in the years to come. We see no reason to alter our opinion, previously expressed, that Foxton should stand alone in an undertaking of this nature, no matter what the basis of partnership. This

opinion is based on the experience of dual schemes of other local bodies. Shannon is on a splendid

wicket and would be foolish not to snap the terms But it has yet to be proved that Shannon’s share of the initial cost is going to be Foxton’s ultimate gain._ There are, however, many initial difficulties to be overcome before the scheme can be submitted in concrete form to the ratepayers, and it will be then time to weigh up the advantages of absolute or dual control.