Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1883.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1355, 13 September 1883, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1883.

We cannot do other than express our satisfaction at the clear and explicit manner in which the eligible candidates for municipal honors expresses their views on the different and most important matters which are just now forcing themselves upon public attention. There appeared to be perfect unani mity with respect to at least one question, viz., the Common-Shelton claim, and whatever may be the result of the present elections, we feel perfectly satisfied that the preposterous claim, which has of late had but one advocate, will meet with that amount of attention which it rightly deserves at the hands of all honest men. With respect to the harbor improvements, there appeared to be much doubt in the minds of most of the speaker as to the best method of forming one. The breakwater chimera found no advocate. We most cordially agree with the opinion expressed by one candidate as to the practibility of large ships coming up to the end of Glads’one Road. We can see no possible serious obstacle to bringing t is plan to a successful issue at a moderate cost within the means of the place. The details of the scheme must be left to duly qualified and experienced engineering skill. But at the same time we are in possession of sufficient data to justify the assertion that some £L2,UOO would be sufficient to produce this desired result. With respect to the bar we all know, at least should know, that it depends entirely on the force of the volume of water which is discharged by the river, and the corresponding resistance such volume of river water meets with when it comes in contact with the Bea _ w hich, though it may be in motion in the same direction, still offers a great resistance because of its moving witu far less speed —as to what amount of sand is deposited on the bar at the mouth of the river, it necessarily follows that if the force of the volume of river water could be increased sufficieiitly it would have the effect of scouring the sediment of sand clear away from the place where it is at present deposited, ihis done, dredging w>>uld soon complete the rest. The breakwater could follow at any time when circumstances permitted or justified the enormous outlay such a construction would entail. The greatest advantage of the former scheme over the latter is tuat the first is within the limits of present attainment, while the second is far i'jto the visionary future. The wa'er scheme seemeu to engage a considerable amount of artentiun also, an<l we must confess that, in importance, ti>is subject is second to none, both from a useful and sanitary point of view, Whilst granting this we are reluctantly compelled to say that this want cannot be successfully met. at , present. In the meantime the best, nay the only temporary practical provision we can make to meet this much-felt want, is in a larger storeage of rainwater. If the Council would pass a law—and see it properly enforced—making it compulsory on all landlords to proride good and ample storage for rainwater, it would have the effect of immedi ately reducing the evil to the lowest, minimum within our present attainment. We know of numerous habitations where not the •lightest provision is made by the owners for storing a single drop of rain water, and we can point to five dwellings on the Gladstone Road who are solely dependent on one well for their supply of this most necessary element to comfort, health, and cleanliness. Let us meet these wants in the best practical manner we can, and not go soaring away into gigantic schemes which are at present beyond our reach. This water scheme will take years to mature and bring to perfection, but a temporary and practical alleviation can be obtained at once, which would have the effect of partially meeting the want. On the question of road metal we will not at present give our opinion, as we have only, an yet, seen one source of supply, and we are not in the habit of speaking from one soli tary point of view. When we have inspected the Patutahi quarry, then we will give our friends the benefit of our unbiassed and unprejudiced opinion. The drainage question is also a matter to be dealt with in the future, and consequently need not engage our immediate attention. With respect to the bridge across the Turanganui river, that must entirely depend upon the metal question. If we are compelled to go to the Kaiti Islands for metal then we shall want a bridge across the river, but not otherwise. In conclusion we must warmly congratulate the ratepayers upon the opportunity which is afforded them of selecting from seven suchjiighly eligible candidates.