The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3552, 18 June 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1912.

Although the “City Fathers" max' continue iur a little while longer to maintain what can only be described as a remarkable silence in regard to municipal matters, it is, nevertheless, a fact that the position of the borough has for some time been quite an engrossing subject of discussion among the ratepayers- Thus it was that at the recent meeting of payers of rates —by the way, another such meeting, will be held this evening—some of those present were prepared to speak forcibly on the point. It was, we think, made perfectly clear that the ratepayers — and no fault can be found with them in this regard—want to see a little light thrown on the whole situation! Now, for our own part, we should be glad if it were possible to heartily disagree with the suggestion that the Council (as a whole) does not seem to be studying the best interests of the town at the present juncture. But how is it possible? It may be the ease that the attitude of the representatives of The people at the Council table is to be accounted for by the fact that of late they have merely been taking ample-time to “inwardly digest 5 ’ the current position of affairs. Sincerely do we trust that this may prove the case. Why it was only at the latest fortnightly meeting of the Council that a member —it was Cr. Collins —wanted to know if the borough engineer would lay down some “policy” in regard to a certain work. Fancy a councillor being “in the dark” at this stage of events on such a matter! In this connection we have fully come to the conclusion that the “policy.” of the borough will, if the Council does not wake up, be simply what the borough engineer deems the proper tliing. Now, what is clearly at the bottom of the general complaint about the present condition of affairs is what appears to be a well-grounded fear that the town is not getting full value for every 20s of the very many thousands of pounds that have been borrowed in the immediate past. The absence of a suitable “policy” and. the dearth of information which is being afforded the ratepayers but tend to still further aggravate .the situation’. To our way of thinking the “City Fathers” ought to begin straight away to consider the advisableness of “knocking on the head” the further employment of the day labor system in connection with its more important works. Unquestionably it is now generally held that if the whole of the sewerage works, for instance, had been done under the contract system a great deal of the ratepayers' money ltfust have been saved. Under the contract system it would have been known from the outset exactly how much any work was going to cost the borough; but under the extravagant da; - labor system, well—One may find out for certain after the work is com-, pie fed! In this connection the ratepayers would assuredly be glad to know that there have been no more expensive little day labor system luxuries as the Stanley Hoad septic tank proved to be. By way of showing the change of feeling that has come over the ratepayers on the question of “contracts or day labor” no- more striking testimony could surely lir.vo been afforded than was given at the

A Silence That Must he B:-Gk:n.

meeting of ratepayers that was Jield three weeks ago. One after another prominent Laborites go lip and, despite the fact that the day labor system is a part of their creed —they..voluntarily stated that they were forced to advocate, “in view of the special circumstances that have arisen in this town,” the adoption of the contract system! Could one get a more convincing proof of the propriety of what we urged so strongly on the subject on the occasion, of the municipal contests some 15 months ago? But there are many other subjects in regard to which the “City Fathers” should at once, if they are in a position to do so, make a definite announcement. Another important matter in particular that is agitating the minds of a great many ratepayers is the question of the metal supply. Is the Council satisfied that, the borough isy in this regard, getting full value for its outlay? For our own part we must say without hesitation that some of >he Gentle Annie-metal is proving to us a grievous disappointment. As a maintenance metal pure and simple much of it seems to represent so much money thrown away. A string of other matters upon which the town count il would do well to at once shed some light will suggest themselves to most ratepayers. Especially is there anxiety to know how much more money will require to -be borrowed in the immediate future- But what is the use of extending the list? If the- “City Fathers” are anxious to give full information to the ratepayers as to the present position of affairs they should not delay in doing so any longer. Of course, if it is intended to keep on the present lines it becomes quite a different matter. We should really -be sorry if matters should be allowed to reach sucli a pass that the ratepayers may feci compelled to take it upon themselves to force the position.