OBSERVATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 957, 1 August 1903, Page 2

OBSERVATIONS.

’(To the Editor, Gisborne Times.)

Sir,—l have a very thoughtful friend to whom I go for the solution of many harassing questions. He is of a retiring disposition, and though observing cares not to be observed. “ Why ” I asked, “is there such a lack of confidence in the Borough Council ?’’ “ That the ratepayers have little confidence in their Council is certain,” replied my friend, “ and that on account of their attitude ‘on the water aid drainage question. The people went men of grip rather than of understanding. Thus it is that one CcuLcillor who perhaps cannot think, but has the audacity to try, so fills the contemplative with admiration that for lack of other sti-

mulus they follow him in all his extravagarces and light railways of thought Non progredi est regrcdi, there is no tarrying in this world, and :£ the Council lie back on their platform of contentment it is to the certain strengthening of an active adverse party. Them has, I admit,. been some spurious effort to convince the ratepayers, not of the claims of the schemes reported, but of the claims of the engineer who vaunts a worldwide reputation. But what world? Is Australia the world ? Is New Zealand the world ? And if so, why is his august name passed over and others singled out by other communities, ether borougns ? All effort has been of force and persuasion, of declamation, ridicule, and derision by Councillors, of voluble sophistry by parsons, lawyers and other champions of an indolent Council. Their metnods are most reprehensible. When the loan question went to the poll eighteen months ago the parsons, doctors, and other public men were asked to write a panegyric in support of the proposed water and drainage scheme. The extempore effusions interested me, for I was given fresh food for philosophy. How was it that college trained men, whose success depended ou certainty and exactness, could, without question or study, sit down and write a laudatory commendation of a water and I drainage scheme ? Mrs Grundy, the housekeeper, at that moment entered to lay supper. 11 Ha 1 Mrs Grundy,” said the spectator,l have ; observed you never read the daily papers.” I “ No, sir, as my old friend the Mayor says i to mo but last week come Thursday, when 1 I tailed him how Moses struck the rock and water came. Quite so! quite so ! says he, and if Moses would but stroike Mr Lysnar the water wud cum too —you keep to yer Bible, Mrs Grundy, says he, God bless bis little soul.”—l am, etc., The Spectator.