THE DRAINAGE PROPOSALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2416, 3 February 1909, Page 4

THE DRAINAGE PROPOSALS.

To-day tlnv ratepayers will have an opportunity to decide whether or not they will embark upon a costly system of sewerage for the town. It is true that only the central area is to be immediately served under the present proposals, but it would bo obviously ridiculous for a ratepayer ontsidc of areas 1. 2, and 3 to vote for a scheme unless he desired that at some time it would bo extended to his locality. The Shone system is a very fine one, but it will result in raising the rates for those persons within the area where it is in operation by over o(J per cent, and it is a question for the individual ratepayer to say whether or not he is prepared to agree to this impost. Speaking for the town as a whole, we fully recognise that the status of Gisborne would be immensely raised by the installation of an up-to-date sewerage system, but we . fear at the same time that the burden of the cost will prove very severe for the majority of those who will have to pay the tax. The Mestayer scheme is an expensive one to install and an expensive one to maintain, and it seems to us that in the present stage of borough affairs it must be looked upon as a luxury. One drawback to which, attention lias recently been drawn is the fact that the scheme is dependent for its operation on a permanent water supply. This we have not at present, and in the event of an. accident to the pipe line from To. Arai necessitating tho stoppage of the water supply for a day or two, the sewage system would constitute a peril to the town. Therefore it may be accepted that side by side with the installation of the Shono system would have to be the provision of a big reservoir tb contain a

sufficiently large temporary supply o water to satisfy the town s needs in the event of such an accident. As ve have pointed out on previous occasions it is quite possible to very oroatly improve the sanitation of the town without embarking upon the costly Shone system, ana we should prefer to see this subject referred back to the Council for further consideration. Even the adoption of the Mestayer scheme will not guarantee the community against epidemics unless proper provision is made for carrying away all storm water and for insisting upon personal cleanliness in every individual household.