The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JUNE 3,1909. THE SEWERAGE SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2519, 4 June 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JUNE 3,1909. THE SEWERAGE SCHEME.

Little fault will bo found by the public with the action taken by the Borough Council >at its meeting on Wednesday night in regard to tho sewerage, proposals. Something can ho said for the attitude of Councillor Darton, who considered that the three schemes submitted respectively by (Messrs Mestayer, Jickell, and Alarchant should bo referred to a Board of Experts. >ln the first place, the old Council had agreed to this po.icy, 'and, secondly, a good-deal could be said for •giving the Board, when appointed, the fullest powers in regard to their recommendations. Air. Alarchant, wc feel sure, would welcome any comparisons that might ho made by thoroughly qualified engineers between tho scheme submitted by himself and those formerly placed before tho Council. Apait from any merits that might attach to the principles adopted in the systems formulated by Alessrs Alestayer and Jickel, we feel convinced that in viewing the actual needs of this community and its present financial resources they would bo ruled out by any impartial committee. AVhy then shirk the inevitable comparison? The answer is aptly supplied by the Alayor, who declared that it was no use submitting Air. Jicltell’s scheme to a poll when the cost was double that of Mi. AI arch ant’s, and Air. Mestayer’s had already been rejected by the ratepayers. This decision having been come to it only remained to ensure that Air. Ala reliant’s scheme would survive tho ordeal of criticism by independent experts. No one acquainted with Air. Alar chant’s qualifications seriously doubts that the result will be favorable to the southern engineer. Indeed, some of the Councillors would have required little persuasion before agreeing to submit the matter to a poll without further delay, but the policy of caution that is being pursued is undoubtedly ■the right one. The gentlemen who 'have been selected to consider 'the scheme have been well chosen. The Chief Health Officer and the Chief Engineer (of the Government are both officials of undoubted ability and integrity, whilst Air. Cuthbert, of the Christchurch Drainage Board, has had a life-long experience in the working of drainage, systems. We trust that these gentlemen will he able to confirm out own impression with regard to Air. Alarchant’s scheme, and that before long it will ho submitted to tho ratepayers. In such an event wo shall be surprised if it is not sanctioned by on overwhelming vote.