South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1880.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2298, 29 July 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1880.

Tiik floating oil the Timaru Waterworks Loan and the bringing of a water supply •scheme into practicable operation Ims vested a considerable amount of patronage in the hands of the corporation. Appointments will shortly have to be made both of officers and workmen, and although we believe the ratepayers have the utmost confidence in the discretion and integrity of their immicipa representatives, still the manner in l which the selection is likely to be made is causing a good deal o£ pardonable anxiety. Of course, the majority of the appointments will xncrety be temporary, but a few will be permanent while others may be regarded as a good stepping stone to future preferment. Thex-e is one portion of the community which is looking forward to this scheme with anxious solicitude, —we refer to the local unemployed. At a time when distress is pretty general all over the colony, it is only natural to expect that when a field for employment of any value or magnitude is thrown open it will immediately be rushed from various points. But wo trust that in a matter of this kind the Borough Council will have no need to be reminded of the useful adage that “ Charity begins at home.” The capital which is about to be expended on these waterworks will have to be subscribed by theratepayers of Timaru ultimately, and these ratepayers, we submit, have 'a prior claim to any benefit derivable from its expenditure. We have sufficient reliance in the good sense and discrimination of the Borough Council to believe that they will see that such of the resident ratepayers, as are suffering from want of steady employment, will have had their wants first supplied before extending relief to outsiders. However much the latter may be entitled to sympathy, the claims of deserving residents must be a first consideration. In the selection of officers due weight will no doubt be given to the question of ability, but oven then the Council will do well to act with caution. In the meantime the policy of those who desire to see Timaru prosper must be conservative. We have had but little assistance from other parts of the colony in the past, and we can hardly be expected to relieve other localities of their natural burdensThe ratepayers have a special claim to consideration on the Borough Council, for it is on them that the Council must depend for their future revenue. We trust, therefore, that these claims will he fairly recognised in connection with the municipal works that arc about to be undertaken.