THE DRAINAGE LOAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10077, 26 August 1910, Page 4

THE DRAINAGE LOAN.

A correspondent raises, in this issue, probably the only logical argument that could be adduced against the drainage scheme. He thinks that the

services of a consulting engineer should be called in before the pro-

posal to raise so large a sum as £31,000 is put to the ratepayers. This is, perhaps, a reasonable request to make. At the same time it must be borne in mind that the Mayor and the majority of his Councillors have the utmost confidence in the Engineer. They know his work, and are in a position to assess his ability at its correct value. They say most emphatically that the scheme propounded is a good one, i and they have no hesitation in re- I

commending it to the ratepayers. The cost of a consulting engineer's

report is, in their opinion, unwarranted. Masterton has had an ex-

perience of consulting engineers in the past, and it is just a question

| whether a repetition of this experience would be in the best interests of the community. If the Mayor and Councillors will stake their reputation, and pledge their estate, upon the scheme prepared by Mr Mans- j field, are the ratepayers justified in , feeling nervous about the matter ? . That is the question.