GISBORNE’S WATER SUPPLY

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 817, 4 February 1903, Page 2

GISBORNE’S WATER SUPPLY

MR W. H. COOPER’S OFFER. CR KENNEDY’S BECOMES SUSPICIOUS. . “ The next question is Mr Cooper’s new wafer source,” remarked His Worship the Mayor at the Borough Council meeting last evening. This announcement caused some of the Councillors to rouse themselves from the state of drowsiness into which they bad fallen, and to he all attention to the Mayor’s remarks. Plis Worship continued, “ Since this letter was laid before the Council, I have seen Mr Cooper, but I do not- know whether he bus anything to say or not. I made a second appointment with him, but he did not turn up.”

Cr Whinray thought the best way to bring the matter to a head was to appoint a committee to meet Mr Cooper, and see ' what arrangements could be made with him to disclose the site. The committee could furnish a report if Mr Cooper was willing to come to terms. “If what Mr Cooper says be correct,” continued Cr Wtlinray, “ It will be a great boon to the town.” Itisexeelleut wator. Ihave had the opportunity of seeing and tasting it. It is soft and free from tuc iron which makes our water objectionable for domestic purposes. The Mayor seconded a motion, moved by Cr Whinray, that a committee should report on Mr Cooper’s scheme. Cr Whiuray’s motion brought Cr Kennedy to his and he was not long in declaring himself directly in opposition to the proposition. ” I cannot say that I felt proud of being a member of the Council after reading the discussion that took place at the last meeting on this subject, aud seeing the way that it was treated. At the outset, when we wont fully into the question of a water-supply, wo made a very fair oiler of £SO to anyone who would suggest a source that would be adopted ; aud for Councillors to sit hore and consider an application like that of Mr Cooper’s for TIOOO appears to me to bo ridiculous, aud to bo wasting the time of this Council altogether. I can only look upon it as an attempt at further obstruction aud a sot-hack to the good work that has boon done by those Councillors who have beon fighting for a water supply in Gisborne. Some members of the Council are anxious, and clutch at any straw that will divert us from the source wo have in view—Waihirere. I am getting tired of seeing so many attempts made to stay the progress of the place. I hoped in stopping on the Council to have seen a water supply for the town started, hut it would seem that every opportunity is seemed by some members of the Council to draw a red herring across the scent, if it is worth a thousand pounds, then the Council lias made itself ridiculous-in offering the small sum of fifty pounds. I consider the idea of reopening the question and paying this amount to be unreasonable, and I shall oppose it in every possible manner. We should simply acknowledge the letter, and say that the Council does not see its way to accept the terms laid down. Cr Miller : I shall not support the proposal, but I must say that 1 am very pleased to see that we have altered the tone of some of the members on the question. It was very nearly being carried at the previous meeting that wo should pay jgIOOO. I am especially pleased at the tone of Cr Whinray. (Laughter.) The Mayor : I seconded the motion to keep it out of the way. Tiie committee will deal with it, but they will adhere to the original proposal to give ToO. Cr Mason : You forget, Your Worship, that we shall be able to make use of this offer for our Whataupoko supply. Cr Whinray was rather surprised at the narrow-minded view that some of the Councillors took of the water supply. It seemed to him preposterous that such should be the case. He did not desire to say' anything derogatory of Waihirere, but if ‘ the supply mentioned by Mr Cooper was as good as it seemed to he, a groat saving would he effected. With regard to the sum asked, he thought that favorable terms couid be arranged by the committee. The speaker concluded in the following forcible manner : “ I trust the Council will rise above the narrow preI judice aud bigoted opinions in regard to Waihirere, which is a doubtful aud problematical scheme at the best. It seems to mo that the Council does not rise to the duties devolved upon them.” Cr Mason took Cr Whinray severely to task, remarking : “ Cr Whinray says a lot i about doubtful and problematical schemes, but this one that he is now favoring is the most doubtful and problematical that lias ever been put before an intelligent puolic.” ! Heading extracts from the letter, Cr i Mason showed that even Mr Cooper himself was not sure of much success in regard to the scheme which he advocated, but thought that a good supply of water might be got by boring. “At this stage of the game,” continued Cr Mason, what’s the use of us considering such an offer? It is a most doubtful and problematical scheme, and an insult to the intelligence of anybody. If this stream that he talks about gives such a supply, where has it gone to j all these years ? Such a stream of water would make a swamp as big as the Piako, and would keep a stream like the Taruheru running. lam afraid that it must flow back into the hole that it comes out of.”—(Laughter.)

The motion to refer the matter to a committee was carried, and Crs Whinray, Harding, Miller, and Lysnar were appointed to interview Mr Cooper and furnish a report.