Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1894. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4806, 23 August 1894, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1894. WATER AND DRAINAGE.

We trust that the coining municipal election in Masterton will again bring to the front the water and drainage proposals. The Borough Council is now in possession of suitable plans for executing them, and it can only be a matter of a year or two for public opinion in this town ip bo declared in their favour. We believe that the progress and prosperity of the town very materially depend upon these necessary public works, and even if it bo thought that both proposals cannot be afforded at tho present date, there is no reason why tho water supply, which is essentially a self-supporting undertaking, should not bo proceeded with, We are told that many of tho smaller ratepayers of the town do not quite understand what they would have to pay in the shape of water rates, and that their objection to the proposal's mainly based on a 1 misunderstanding in this particular, The Municipal Corporations Act clearly defines their liability, A small ratepayer who resides a hundred yards away from a watermain, pays nothing; but if he is within a hundred yards of the service pipe and nses it, he pays for his year's water supply ton shillings, Twopence per week is not an extravagant price for a small ratepayer to pay for an aniplo and convenient supply of pure watoi'. Farmers within the Borough will practically bo outside tho rango of the water service unless they mako special arrangements for irrigation purposes, and consequently will not be affected by the undertaking. The water rato commencing at ten shilling per annum for cottages, and increasing in amount for larger buildings is ample to provide interest on the loan required for tho construction, and for the maintenance; of necessary works. The advantages of the proproposal ovcrwoigh all other consid. erations.. The ratoßfor firo insurance would be reduced, thp town would be healthier, ;and as a residential centre would be more attractivo, Why., should not these advantages bo secured at once, and is there aiiy reason: why wo; should wait two or three years longer to: obtain; them ? The only men in the community who might, be ;expected to opposo'tbe "sclieme'-are-tie doctors', fcause'it must tend to lessen thoiv business, but to their credit it may be said they are too intelligent and high :

principled to desire to see Masterton continue to be a miaßmaMo town, and cordially support these very pressing and necessary improvements,