The Southland Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1872.

Southland Times, Issue 1668, 26 November 1872, Page 2

The Southland Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1872.

That the resources of the town are amply sufficient for the construction of all the importantworks which public convenience requires, cannot be questioned ; and that the present is a peculiarly favorable time for raising money for such purposes is well known. In view of these facts, we not long ago urged upon the Council the propriety of anticipating the current revenue of the town by borrowing a sufficient sum to commence the construction of the most important works of a permanent character which are at present urgently required. It is satisfactory to find that the course which we then recommended has since been affirmed, as to principle, by the Council, and that some progress appears to have been made in the direction of carrying it into effect. But let no one imagine that we flatter ourselves so much as to believe that our reasoning on that occasion, however sound in itself, was the cause of the wise decision at which the Council arrived. If there is one human weakness to which the members of that body are more superior than to any other, it is the capacity for being convinced by argument addressed to them from without. To allow such reasons to have any influence upon them, would, it is understood, be held utterly inconsistent with a proper sense of their own dignity. We cannot, accordingly, indulge in the hope that our recommendations have had, or will have, any weight with them. But it is a satisfaction to find that the Council has, by its own unaided wisdom, arrived at the same conclusions with ourselves, and it is with some encouragement, from the hope of a similar coincidence, that we return to the subject. It is so much easier to borrow money than to spend it to advan tage after it is borrowed, that we must think the Council have acted very wisely in taking the spending into consideration first. While the precise amount to ba raised still remains an open question, it is much easier to discuss with impartiality the various works which should be undertaken, and to assign a reasonable and fair proportion of money to each. It may not be very easy to give a good reason for this, but it is found to be the fact, and may perhaps arise to some extent from the idea that as the total sum to be spent is not definitely fixed, it cannot on the passing of any particular item be said to be exhausted, and room may still be left, in the hopes at least of each voter, for the ultimate adoption of some little pet scheme which he has at heart, and the exclusion of which would be a sufficient reason, to him at least, for voting against any other. Whether this be so or not, there can bo no doubt that it is easier to lay out a good general plan first, and to raise the money afterwards, than to spend money, once raised, on any systematic plan at all. The citizens have accordingly reason to congratulate themselves on the good sense which has induced the Council to adopt the former alternative. We trust they will not be persuaded, when the actual work comes to be done, to lay aside the principle they have now wisely affirmed. With respect to the actual works to be undertaken the Council itself ought to be the best judge, and if we consider the very creditable attention to business the members have evinced since they first received their civic honors, there is no doubt that they ought to be better informed than any other eight or nine inhabitants of the town as to what is most immediately and urgently required. In the scheme under consideration last night there were two sorts of work mainly described — the formation of streets, and the construction of a system of drains. In respect to both the principle may be laid down that whatever amount of work may be done, much or little, it ought to be of a solid and substantial character. It is poor economy in such matters to prefer quantity to quality, and we are glad to see that the Councillors generally seem to be of this opinion. It would be comparatively easy to please the eye with a large number o£ broad streets, nicelyformed and covered with gravel, which one or two wet winters would reduce to the condition of which Tay-street, after the first month of bad weather, presents an admirable illustration. The plan of providing, at even greater cost, a comparatively narrow roadway, substantially metalled, and easily kept in good repair in any weather, or under any traffic, is infinitely wiser, although the other wrould be cheaper, and give the town a more handsome appearance in the first instance. The same principle applies, though not so obviously at first sight, to the question as to whether the drainage or the making of the streets ought first to receive attention. While the advantage, or even the necessity, of having streets fit for traffic in the winter is bo apparent that there can be no dispute about it, we do not hesitate to say that a thorough and complete system of drainage is infinitely more important, although the benefit to be derived from it is not so obvious to the eye. The fact itself, that the necessity of a good drainage system is not so constantly obtruded on our notice as the unformed condition of the streets, is a good reason why it should not be neglected while we are initiating a scheme of town improvements, and the money available for them still remains to be spent. The streets are sure to be made, sooner or later, and while they remain unmade the evil that arises from the is chiefly to our purses. But the drainage, being out of sight, is not so sure to be attended to, and if neglected now, may continue to be neglected, until by the increase of population and some exceptionally unhealthy season, the town has to pay the

penalty in health, and life which inevitably follows the transgression of natural sanitary lawa. Then the streets may he made piecemeal, as they: are needed, and. as we can command the means, but the drainage of such' a fcowu as Invercargill must be accomplished upon a system calculated for the whole undertaking, and on a, scale sufficient to meet the requirements of many years to come. "We trust that the matter will receive the consideration that its importance deserves, and that no ideas of false economy, or of more showy and apparently more immediately useful expenditure, will lead the Council to neglect it, or to grudge the outlay required. The plans for drainage, prepared by the late engineer, Mr Cothbert, are understood to be both simple and comprehensive, and should not be lightly interfered with, especially in the way of reduction, by non-professional bands. If there is any question regarding them it would be wiser to obtain further professional advice. No pains should be spared, and no reasonable expenditure should be grudged, to secure as soon as possible a complete, efficient, and permanent system of drainage for the inhabited portion of the town.