THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1907. THE MAYORAL SWAMP.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8875, 8 November 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1907. THE MAYORAL SWAMP.

The Mayor, in an interview with a press representative on the 23rd of last month, stated that "when time availed he would give the matter of water and drainage the closest attantion he could," adding that "just ruw he was literally stamped with borough matters of other kinds." We would like to know whether those "other kinds" of borough matters have'since overwhelmed his Worship, or whether he is in a fair way to overcoming them. His interviewer seemed to gather from what he had witnessed, that the borough officials were the lions in the path of any forward movement, for he stated, in corroboration of the Mayor's pathetic plaint of being "swamped" with borough matters, that the truth of his Worship's statement "was evidenced to the reporter, who, on stepping out of Mr Coradine's office, noted half-a-dozen borough officials waiting their turn to interview his Worship." We had hoped this terrible trouble would have been overcome ere this, and that some indication would have been given of the intention of the Mayor and councillors of what they proposed] to do in the matter of the drainage extension, and when they proposed to do it. Hut there has been a dead silence. The Mayor appears t<S be still in the J swamp, and what is worse, he has evidently dragged the councillors in i with him. Seriously, it is high time that the municipal authorities dropped their dolce far niente attitude in a matter of such vital importance to the ratepayers and residents, and came to some decision upon this drainage question. If the Council will not voluntarily do its obvious duty in this respect, steps will have to be taken to compel it, even if the intervention of the Health authorities has to be invoked to this end. The danger to the residents grows greater as time goes on, and it is absurd to suppose that remedial measures should be staved off because the Mayor cannot find , time to bring the question of drainage before the Council. Swamps are always a menace to a community, and the Mayoral swamp ought to be removed without delay.

SHELVED. J As we yesterday anticipated would be the case the Meikle Acquittal Bill has been shelved for the session, and the Premier stands convicted of insincerity, or of blundering in the matter. Over and over again he protested on the floor of the House that the bill could not be made general in its character, as it was intended to deal with a specific case, and Meikle's name could not be insertsd in a general measure. Over and over again he stated that the object of the bill was to give effect to the recommendations of the Meikle Commission. Yesterday in the House the Premier discounted all his previous protestations by stating that he had written to the Chief Justice respecting the suggestion to make the bill general in its application, and had asked that at the next sitting of the Court of Appeal the Judges should draft a bill which would carry out the desires of the Commissioners, and also suggest the amount of compensation to be awarded. To this communication His Honour had replied consenting to f bring the matter before the Court of Appeal. The Premier therefore decided that legislation should be deferred until next session. Thoso who have followed this interesting case before the Legislature will be able to form their own conclusions as to the sincerity of the Government in regard to Meikle. Verily it is a warning not to put one's trust in Ministers. They are not more reliable than the princes of old, of whom Scripture takes cognisance in the matter of untrustworthiness. THE INCONSISTENCY OF MR RIGG. When the Land Laws Amendment Bill was moved into Committee in the Legislative Council, yesterday afternoon, the Attorney-General urged expedition in its passage, and appealed to those who did not think certain clauses went far enough to recognise the imperative necessity for compromise. The Hon. J. Rigg thereupon made an onslaught upon various clauses of the Bill, which he condemned, and insinuated that the newly-appointed members of the Council would feel bound to discuss the measure under a sense of obligation to the Government that had appointed them. Mr Rigg overlooked the fact that he also is a new appointee. His first term had expired before the present session, and there was.no great hurry in the renewal of his appointment. Secure in his position for another seven years he appears to be reversing the conciliatory policy he adopted during the final year of his last term. Mr Rigg last night boldly told the Government it had not done all that was expected of it, and that because of this it was losing support in the country. This opinion is not foundationless, but it hardly comes with good gi*ace from an hon. member who some years ago laid down the diction that it was the duty of nominees to the Council to support the Government during at least the first years of theirr membership.