The Manawatu Standard PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verites FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1883. THE BOROUGH DRAINAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 154, 8 June 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verites FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1883. THE BOROUGH DRAINAGE

The discussion on financial matters which took place at the Borough Council meeting 'on. Wednesday evening ■elic\fced the fact that tho amount aU6« cated £o surface drainage m the Borough has been largely drawn upon. The ratepayers will naturally wonder what there is to show for the money spent. So far as we are able to judge there is 'very little. Indeed, wo are ready to admit that a X commencement has scarcely been made. > But why have nqt the Boroueh Council made themselves conversant with the progress of affairs ? Month after month, the usual meetings hare been held, but, it never seems to have struck any one that the drainage scheme was not progressing satisfactorily. A number of people appear t6 have been under the impres* sion " that the Mariicipal Drainage scheme was intended to benefit privat 6 properties, and certain of tbe^Councillora. winced perceptibly ; when > Cr McNeil [pointedly r£lt;ired to this feature. There, can be nt>: doubt there has; been too much laxity .on the part both of oui Ci,ty leathers, and also of the : ratepayers with regard to the progress of drainage operations. Crs Ferguson and Marrineh. ap ( eaied to have suddejly awoke to tie fact that it was ! yet -but m the initiatory stages!But they have arrived at this know* pledge . when little funds are forthcoming wiieteWiin' to do any Very lik«ly had the local Press }K ventqi?ed"-^to criticise -he scheme, or allude to its unsatisfactory progress, it ' w v oujd have bedg . accused ot personal '''attacks.''' However, the fact remains that the drainage of the Borough has scarcely been commenced, though a large povtion of the Loan allocated to drainage purposes has been expended. Crs Mauriner and Ferguson enlarged upon the fact that sickness is rife owing .t^defeptiv'e; drainage,;; iAnd. yet letters were published m the Standard some tiwp ago to prove that Palmerston was the healthiest town m the Colony 1 The question is one which directly adepts the .whole community, and is one to which the Borough Council must seriouslj direct its attention, and' that without delay.