BOROUGH DRAINAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2354, 21 November 1908, Page 6

BOROUGH DRAINAGE.

MR. MESTAYER’S SCHEME

UPHELD iBY BOROUGH COUNCIL

MR JICKELL’S SCHEME NOT DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL.

After the ordinary business of the Borough Council was disposed of last evening, the question, of a drainage scheme for the Borough was -again brought forward. The Mayor moved, “That the resolution that Air. Alestayer’s drainage scheme be placed before the ratepayers be rescinded.” He thought all the points of advantage were with Air. Jickcll’a scheme. Pie would like to see schemes considered upon their merits and not on account of the names of the engineers who designed them.

Cr. Sheridan rose to a' point of Ordt'r. The motion did not, he said, call for a discussion on the merits of the schemes.

The -Mayor ruled that his remai'ks were in order, and. said that if Air. Jiekell’s scheme was adopted it would mean a saving of £53,060 to the borough. Air. IViestayer’s scheme would only serve 12,000 people, while Air. Jickeli’s would serve 20,000 people. Cr. Alann : Pardon me, that is not so. Air. Aiestayer’s £83,000 scheme will only supply a certain area, but more than 12,000 people. The Alayor: The great objection to Air. Alestayer’s scheme is that it is necessary to have air trumped through the sewersy and there is no' means of detecting a leakage; whereas Air. Jickell’s scheme depends solely 011 gravitation. By going in lor a street loan ah ere would be a saving of £19,000 on a 2s rate until 1914, and that will go a long way towards paying for a drainage scheme. It either schom is -adopted it- is nob necessary to engage any 7 particular engineer to see the scheme carried out. Cr. Sawyer seconded the motion. Cr. AY hin ray said he would vote for the motion. But iie thought the timo was not opportune for a big drainage cchome to be placed before the ratepayers, and that any such proposal would bo a waste of time and money. Cr. Somervell said he could not understand how Air. Jiekoll would be able to discharge the sewage into the sea without a pumping plant. Tlio Alayor: He pumps the sewage into 1:111 elevated reservoir. Cr. Sheridan: It is a gravitation scheme : the sewage is pumped up and runs down by gravitation. Cr. Somorvell: I would favor the most economical scheme, but there is not a remote chance that either proposal will Vie -adopted by the ratepayers. I will vote for the motion so that the schemes can be considered.

The Alayor: The ratepayers will he satisfied if the Council submits the best scheme for their consideration. Hear, hears, from Councillors. The Alayor: It is not necessary that the question of drainage should lie delayed. I think tlio Council should profit by the error made in the waterworks.

Cr. Bright: AVhat error? Cr. Alann : Are we not discussing drainage? If any one else hut Your Worship was speaking, 1 would rise to a. point of order. Cr. Sheridan (smiling): The error was in not engaging Air. Leslie Reynolds.

The Alayor: The Council had Air. Reynolds’ advice, and would not accept it. I am glad there has been silence on the subject, for 1 suppose silence means consent.

Cr. Alann: Can’t you sec, Air. Alayor. that the public has had all the merits of Air. Alestayer’s scheme put before them. You are now giving them the merits of Air. Jickell’s scheme. Cr. Dart-on: The resolution is to rescind a, motion, and I don't think there is any need for a discussion, on the merits of the schemes. That is why'l have not spoken.

’The Alayor: If the resolution is rescinded 1 will move that Air. Jic'kell’s scheme be adopted. I will tell the ratepayers’ of the attitude of the Council on the matter, especially as there has been silence on the question. I will let the ratepayers know how the question was received. Councillors: Don’t threaten, Mr. Mayor. Cr. Sheridan: AVe have heard of your threats before and saw what they came to.

The 'motion was then put and lost, the Alayor, Crs. AVhinray, Somervell, and Sawyer voting for it. Cr. Sheridan then moved that tlio Council adjourn. The Alayor: That means that Air. Jickell’s scheme be placed before the ratepayers. Chorus of Councillors: No! No! Not Air. Jickell’s; Mr. Alestayer’s scheme. The Alayor: I mean Air Alestayer’s. The proposal will have to bo. put before'the ratepayers, and it had better be advertised.

Councillors: Yes; in terms of the resolution.

The Council then adjourned until AVednesday next.