WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1267, 4 July 1914, Page 3

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —It is an undisputed fact that the ratepayers of Foxton did not get a fair deal from the Borough Council with reference to the scheme for water from Shannon and the accompanying drainage proposals. Firstly, the meeting to consider same was not called until the very last moment ; secondly, an acrimonious discussion arose regarding a restricted area, and then very wrongly, in the opinion of a great number of people the artesian scheme, which had already been rejected, was dragged in to confound the issue. On the top of this the Mayor and Councillors were not enthusiastic and seemed to think more of impressing on the ratepayers the amount of rates they would require to pay, than bringing betore them the great benefits which the town would undoubtedly receive from these most necessary schemes. The consequent result of this was that the ratepayers were apathetic and a minority have carried the day. In a matter of public health the large ratepayers should receive no consideration, and the health and well-being of the people must be the first consideration. There is no argument against the proposals except that of rates, which proves that Mr Suggate’s plans are acceptable to the people. This little town comfortably supports four hotels, two picture theatres and about forty motor cars, all luxuries, and a modest estimate of the weekly expenditure on these luxuries is about £3OO, which represents £15,000 annually. Now, nobody argues against luxuries within reason, but necessities must take first place, and it is futile to argue that a town that spends £15,000 yearly in this way cannot afford to spend .£36,000 on a water and drainage scheme. The people must take this matter into their own hands and force the Council to put a straight issue forward, which must be the gravitation scheme or nothing. I would suggest the formation of a Progressive Association of householders whose main plank would be water and drainage, and whose motto, “a clean town” would soon stir up an interest in municipal affairs. Another poll would be the natural result of agitation and a monster petition could be presented to the Council that would force the position. The diphtheria epidemic now raging is the direct result of no drainage and the public must wake up to the position before it is too late. Every year the trouble will become worse and the toll of death may at any time become very serious. I would appeal to the 300 ratepayers who did not vote to give this matter their very careful consideration and throw in their lot with those who are anxious to make the town clean and who support a scheme which is considered to be quite within the means of the people as a whole. There may be individual cases ot hardship, as there always are in great improvements of this kind, but these can easily be overcome by self-denial in other directions. Det us have an animated discussion on this matter, straight dealing and no personalities.—l am, etc,, A. J. Kei,low.