A GRAVE MISTAKE.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 36, 19 April 1879, Page 2

A GRAVE MISTAKE.

Wb have «o often referred m commendatory terms to the action of the Borough Council, that we feel m the remarks which we are about to make we will be acquitted of the charge of captious fault finding; but much ai we regret hat iiig to censure a body which hitherto has executed its trust «o judiciously and faithfully, we feel we would be wanting m our duty did we not raise our roice against what we consider to be a most glaring error lately committed. We allude to converting the reserve upon town lections No 134 into a graved pit. The step is deserving of the severest condemnation for many rea sons. Firstly, it is a gross piece of m. justice to persons who have purchased land m the immediate vicinity, as it will deteriorate the value of their property fully filty per cent. Secondly, is is air together unnecessary,, inasmuch as the Borough already possesses three gravel pits within the town boundaries — -that m Main street, comprising from six to eight acres ; two acres and a half on the Kangitikei road ; and another grant behind the Hospital. Thirdly, the creation of another depot for putrid aninals and stagnant water would beside being dangerous to the health of the own, be a grievous eyesore. Dealing with the first objection, we might point out to the corporation that if it were its intention to declare any of its reserves a gravel pit, common justice should have prompted that the information should be made known before persons were induced to buy land contiguous, and erect expensive dwellings. The argument has been used that were a private person to own the section they could do just as they pleased with it, independently of the depreciation of property. Granted, with one reservation — that the operations did not result m a nuisance. But that is a particularly selfish view to take of the matter, and one certainly which the Borough Council, which should be m a measure the conservator of the public interest would noc be justified m adopting. It is a well-known fact that the proximity of the gravel pits both on the Eangitikei and Foxton roads have retarded settlement and depreciated property; but with regard to them the land, owners have no reason to grumble, as they were declared.as such before the land was put up for sale. The residents m Broad street have good reason to protest, and we maintain that the ratepayers m every portion of the town should strengthen their objections, for it is a matter which affects the appearance of the town as a whole, It is true those whose properties are depreciated, who would have the nuisance continually before their eyes or the smell beneath their nostrils, would feel the pinching of the shoe most keenly, but it is an evil the J effects of which would have to be borne by all. Let the traveller enter from Foxton and ere he reaches the second house his eye is greeted with an unsightly -looking chasm ; let him approach by the Kangitikei line and the result is the same, and now the Council wishes to place Broad street m the same category ; leaving the town with the appearance of a worked out diggings. We feel, howewer, we are doing the majority of the Council an injustice m imagining that they are m the least cognizant of what is being done : for we feel convinced if such were the case it would not be tolerated for a moment. It is just possible the engineer mentioned m his . report that such, a reserve was available for a gravel pit and the report being unthinkingly adopted, there rests the authority for the outrage. However, the council meets on Wednesday night, and the true state of the matter will be known, until which we reserve further comment.