THE DISTRICT’S NEEDS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2641, 25 October 1909, Page 3

THE DISTRICT’S NEEDS

THE MAYOR INTERVIEWED. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar), accompanied by Mrs. Lysnar, arrived back in Gisborne on Saturday morning after ten days’ absence. During his trip Mr. Lysnar busied himself considerably in making inquiries regarding many of the requirements of the district at present under consideration. , In conversation with a “Times” reporter, Mr. Lysnar gave some interesting details of his work while away. ELECTRICAL SCHEMES. On the question of the proposed electrical schemes, Mr. Lysnar said that when in Napier he met Mr. George Nelson, general manager for Messrs J. J. Niven and Co. Mr. Nelson said that he had been thinking over the matter of the ’installation of an electrical plant in Gisborne since his, conference with Mr. Marchant at Napier, and while he was not opposed to the installation of a “stand-by” engine ho thought it would be unnecessary, expense, and would only be brought into requisition when the water-power system and suction gas both failed. While one of these might go wrong, it, was, however, extremely; unlikely , that both would he out of order at the same time. The principal danger would be if the gas plant went wrong and they were thrown on the water supply only. If they would be taking off much water for other purposes only a small surplus might be left for power purposes. This, however, would only be in the daytime, and as a counter safeguard in that contingency the public could be prohibited from using the water for extraordinary purposes, such as gardening, etc., w’hile the gas plant was being reinstated. It was entirely a matter for tlte Council, but he thought it was xmnecessry. Mr Nelson also said that the estimates given by his firm were thoroughly reliable, and that they would be quite prepared to tender on the basis of the estimates supplied. When in Wellington Mr. Lysnar interviewed the principal of the firm of Messrs Norman Heath and Co., who had previously supplied estimates, through Mr. J. R. Jones, for the installation of an electric tram system in the borough. In reply to a question, Mr. Heath stated that the Gisborne Borough Council would be quite safe in accepting the estimates, and that his firm would be perfectly prepared to contract within the amount stated. Mr. Heath also mentioned that his firm were arranging at present for the construction of the tramways at Hastings. To both Mr. Nelson and Mr. Heath the Mayor explained that the Council could not lot a straight-out contract for the works, for which public tenders would have to he called. WATERWORKS RESERVOIR, On the question of the reservoir, proposed to be put on the Ivaiti Hill, Mr. Lysnar said that after a few days in Wellington Mr. Marchant had his report practically ready, but could not complete it finally until the details of the survey were to hand. The field work of tlie survey has been completed, and Mr. Gardiner, C.E., is at present engaged on the plans. The reservoir is to be of reinforced concrete, and the estimate given by. Mr. Marchant was £7OOO. The cost' would, however, depend entirely on the size of the reser; voir, and if it were only of a capacity of a million gallons' the expense would be considerably less than the sum mentioned. If the locality was found to be suitable for a larger reservoir, they should have it, and in that case the cost would probably be greater. HARBOR, MATTERS. Regarding liis inquiries on harbor matters, Mr. Lysnar was unable to give much information. He explained that the Harbor Bill had been issued, confidentially, to the Harbors Association by the Minister for Marine. The Gisborne Harbor Board are attached to that body, and consequently had been able to see the Bill, and seven or eight suggested amendments had been made by the Gisborne Harbor Board. He interviewed the Executive of the Association, and they with two exceptions agreed to the amendments of the Gisborne Board. The Minister for Marine had also agreed to the bulk of the local suggestions, particularly the most important one. There were two suggested amendments to which, however, the Minister would not agree. Seen on the subject in Napier, Mr. J. Vigor Brown, another member of the Executive, promised Mr.’ Lysnar to assist the Gisborne Board’s views as much as he rvissiblv could. “The Bill,” continued Mr. Lysnar. “will be circulated soon, and referred to a committee, when the amendments will be made. FINANCE. On the important subject of finance, Mr. Lysnr said that he had interviewed the Prime Minister, who had said that he expected to be able to get plenty of money for loans to local bodies at 34 per cent. “I told him,” said tlie Mayor, “that our loan proposals were well forward, and that, we hoped to be in a position to come before him shortly to get a loan.” Continuing, Mr Lysnar said that many bodies appeared to be waking up to tlie advantages of the loans to local bodies. One Mayor had told himi while he was away that Ins particular corporation had negotiations well in hand for a loan of between £400,000 and £500,000 in London at 4,i per cent. OnTy a cable was required to' ratify the loan, but negotiations had been delayed to see if advantage could Be taken of the system of loans to local bodies.