The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 76, 31 March 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1871.

Under 'the heading of "Town Drainage" we to-day publish a letter from a "Ratepayer," having reference to the drainage works which it was proposed to construct in the streets named by him, aud in doing so we have to apologise for having delayed its publication for two or three days, our object in holding it back having been to allow us time to make inquiries ou the subject, in order that his queries and the explanation which we are enabled to furnish might appear in the same issue. Our correspondent is perfectly correct in stating that an Act was passed by the Provincial Council in its last session authorising the Board of Works to raise a sum of money for the purpose of constructing certain works, which are allowed on all sides to be highly necessary to the health of the town, but his insinuation that the Board has been remiss in its duties is entirely without foundation, and leads us to suspect that he has not carefully studied the Act, the second section of which specifies the conditions under which the money is to be raised as follows: — Provided always that, no money shall be borrowed under t lie authority of (his Aci unless two-ihirds in number of the persons to be specially rated, representing afc lea-u one-half of the value of the property liable to the special rate, shall first signify their consent, thereto in writing, nor until one month's notice by advertisement has been given by the Board of their intention to borrow the sum authorised, or any portien thereof. Now, in order to comply with the above stated conditions it/ )V vvould be necessary that the inhabi^a'Sts of Badge-street, that is to say o.f-that portion of it which lies between - Trafalgar and Wairnea-streets, should signify their consent to be specially ' rated, but this they have refused to do, almost to a man, and, although none are more anxious than ourselves to see this work undertaken, we cannot assert that they are altogether to blame in doing so, for this reason, that, with a very few exceptions, the houses in that portion of the town are simply places of business and nothing more, hardly any of them being the residences of those to whom they belong. It is therefore not very much to be wondered afc that the owners should object to putting their hands into their pockets to pay for that, which, however desirable it may be, is scarcely more essential to the health of themselves and families than it is to residents in other parts of the town, aud herein lies the difficulty. To proceed with the sewers without the aid of the Bridge-street property-holders would, even if the Act allowed of it, be to press too heavily upon tho residents in the other streets proposed to be benefited by the system of drainage, for While, in the one instance, the special rate would amount to only one-eighth of a penny in the pound, itjwould, in the other, reach three-eighths^iluch as the improvements are requiraf,' we fear that ifc will be some time J&fore they can be carried out. TheJgreat obstacle in the way is, not as bipted at by our correspondent, a faulth^fss in the Act, nor does it arise frorffany want of actiou ou the part of the Board, but it is one which, uufortunately, can be provided against by no Act oi Parliament, nor overcome by the energy of any Board, for it really is the want ol money, which is so generally felt at the present time. Were the trade of the place in a flourishing condition, the owners of properties that would be improved by the drains would, we are sure, not hesitate for one, moment in allowing themselves tc | be specially rated, but, under existing circumstances, any additional taxation.

however small it may be, or however necessary the object for which it is required, is viewed with disfavor, aud, if possible, avoided.