The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1887. THE MUNICIPAL HYDROPHOBIA

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2787, 31 December 1887, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1887. THE MUNICIPAL HYDROPHOBIA

When Mr Eenall was elected as Mayor of Mastertou wo regretted the choice bccauso we felt sure that ho would not work harmoniously with the Council, He has at heart a project by which he hopes to benefit Mnsterton, mid which most people would like to see carried out to a successful issue, but we fear that his election as Mayor will rather hinder, than help his hobby, The only ckauce. of giving practical effect to his scheme for supplying the borough with a water race was that the Council on the one, side and ho on the other should exorcise the utmost forbearance in considering it, Wc gave Mr Eonall credit for a desire to- work amicably with the Council, and wc gave the Council credit for a. wish to give Mr Eenall every chance to carry out his viows, provided councillors are satisiicd that they are practicable. In the heat of the discussion, howover, the necessity for moderation and conciliation becomes lost, and at last Tuesday's meeting Mr Eenall, instead of coaxing councillors, threatened them, and councillors in their turn bounced Mr Eenall. The first discussion of this question under the presidency of Mr lienall has almost killedall chance of settling it, and if subsequent debates are of a similar character, Mr Eenall's scheme is doomed, Tuosday night's wrangle should have been- avoided. It. would have been better if Mr Eenall had had the subject threshed out in committee, and so escaped the alternative of publicly threatening his Council with a dissolution. The real point at issue appears to bo as to whether Mr Eenall's project is. practicable—some 'experienced members of the Council say it is not—Mr Eenall says simply," You will see it when it is done." Tlio Council want a plan and a specification from Mr Eenall, and this'is somewhat hard oil an amateur engineer, who has been .wontto worthy a "rub of thumb/' We .are not suro that the Council should insist upon a mathematical plan, and a rcd'tapc specification, but they have a right to bo satisfied that the scheme is practicable. Mr Eenall threatens to call a public meeting, but 'should lie do this, \vc fail to see how a congregation of could say whether the. project is feasible. The vole of a public meeting, unless it were controlled by a responsible professional .opinion would be an absurdity. Wo do notdosiro ourselves to putany .difficulty in the way M Mr Eenall carrying out his proposals, if it pan be shown to the satisfaction of men who have some practical kuov/leclge that thoy can be carried*.out successfully, We should not expect Mr Eenall's scheme to stand the test of professional criticism, because Mr Eenall is usually at enmity with certificated, engineers and surveyors, , and noj' doubt. / his .feeling towards theni/s );ut.we. think Mr EenaH should be able |,to satisfy'gpme sensibleWi who have !.;iiad ( some experience of/running water Wilt) ppcfl; race

through the town, andoyercome.soiM [. obvious difficulties' with :regard;-to1 ; levels -which .stand \ in' the; 'way, : Should, Mr : Renall'; carry -"jb'ut V.-tlig; threats he has. made,we venture toV predict that his scheme will never bo completed. If, on the other hand, ho adopts a, more conciliatory tone, and converts one. or two Councillors to his way of thmldiig by, showing thorn how his project can he accomplished, his chances oi su'oceas Avill ho assured. Wo do not lmow any practical man who has, as yet, come, to the conclusion that Mr Eenall's scheme is feasible. If Mr Renall thinks that Councillors are" prejudiced against him, we suggest to him lhat : he should explain his proposal to" his old friend, Mr O. Carter, whom we know to be a practical man. If Mr Carter endorses it/we will help Mr Renall to- ■ carry it through to the best of our ability, but'till some practical; man, other than the fond father of the; water baby, says the thing caii be ; done;.at a reasonable outlay, we should • be ; mad to give.it ablind support. 'So far as , the matter has gone,. Councillors are clearly in the right and' Mr Renall is in the wrong. v ' ■. '■ - : ' '■

Oun local contemporary finds fault with the Council for dispensing with the services of their Gas Manager. In. a similar manner'our local coutoih-; porary was indignant when the ser-', vices;,the disastrous services, of the. late engineer were terminated. If the .public consent to obstruct the Council in the performances of disagreeable but necessary duties, there can only bo one result, •viz., a heavy increase of Borough rates. .