THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1907. MASTERTON DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8479, 5 July 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1907. MASTERTON DRAINAGE QUESTION.

The special meeting of the Masterton Borough Council, held on Tuesday evening last, to consider the Engineer's report upon a scheme for the drainage of the Borough, was, on the whole, of a satisfactory character. It was evident from the tone of the discussion that the Councillors are not at all likely to "rush wildly" into any scheme; at the same time it seems to us that they are determined to go fully into the question and that they will not be afraid to advocate necessary expenditure in regard to what is the most, important matter in municipal affairs — a proper and adequate drainage system. As the Mayor stated, the Councillors are not experts, or engineers, but as men of business they should be able to decide as to the best course to be adopted in regard to the problem which faces ' them at present. There is nothing extraordinary about the drainage work that should be undertaken. Of late years the town of Masterton has grown at a rapid rate, and the consequence is that there is a considerable amount of necessary drainage to be done. We understand that for some years past drainage work has been carried out in accordance with the plans and under the supervision of the Borough Engineer (Mr Douglas Dobson). As we have indicated, there are, apparently, no new features in connection with the work of extending the drainage. What has come somewhat as a surprise is that such a large extension is necessary—hence the cost of the undertaking is considerable. The Borough Councillors are not experts, and, realising this fact, they should look to their own Engineer for an efficient scheme, and insist upon him taking the responsibility of his scheme. It would be absurd for the Masterton Borough Council to make a mountain out

of a small hill—it is obvious that drainage is required in street after street, and that the work must be undertaken some day, and, in our opinion, the sooner the better. As to an extension of the water service being necessary in conjunction with an extension of the drainage, the high'pressure water supply is already laid on in practically every street where drainage is needed. In regard to the proposed outfall works, at the Waingawa, we are informed that the proposed site is really the only suitable site available, and it is a site o± which the District Health Officer has approved. And it may be, also, observed that before the Borough Council can adopt any plan it will have to be approved of by the Health Department, provided the Government find the money. The obtaining of the Department's approval should in itself be a guarantee of the efficiency of the Borough Engineer's scheme. In our opinion the course that lies before the Borough Council is clear enough. It is now their duty to obtain a more complete report from their Engineer, to most carefully consider it, and, when they have arrived at a decision as to what expenditure is necessary, to approach the ratepayers to sanction a loan. It is certainly oniy right that the ratepayers should be consulted, and it seems that the Health Department would Jbe unwilling to recommend the Government to advance the necessary money unless such a course were followed. The District Health Officer (Dr. Frengley) stated at the meeting on Tuesday night that the Department would not force the Borough Council, and, moreover, though it was not compulsory to take a poll, Dr. Frengley stated that before recommending any advance the Department always wanted to know if a poll had been taken. It is obvious that the Borough Council will have "to woo" the ratepayers successfully if there is going to be any improvement effected in the drainage system in the near future. The duty cf the Council at present was well summed up in the njotion moved by Cr Pauling, and which was passed (viz.), "That steps be taken to place a scheme for the extension of drainage (approximate cost £30,000) before the ratepayers, and that it be ascertained whether they are favourable to such a scheme, conditionally upon the Treasury advancing £IO,OOO per annum at 4 per cent, for the work." The Council have first of all to decide upon what they consider the best scheme, after a thorough investigation of a most complete report upon the whole position, then to obtain the approval of the ratepayers, and then to secure the consent of the Health Department to recommend the Government to advance the money —after which it will be a case of "full steam ahead."