Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8,1920. SEWERAGE SCHEME.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9198, 8 January 1920, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8,1920. SEWERAGE SCHEME.

Intelligent ratepayers are' so eager to enjoy the advantages of a modern drainage system that it isi not surprising- that in their impatience, they urge the Borough Council, to initiate activities as early as possible. This enthusiasm should not, however, tempt them to be unfair to the Councillors, who, for the .most part, arenas desirous as any of the ratepayers to commence the installation of a proper sewerage system. Mr. C. W. PurneUV letter, published.' in the "Guardian" on Tuesday, hinted that the Councillors were unduly reticent, but his, criticisms were not wellfounded. We have already published the main details of the scheme recommended by Mr. Williams,- the expert' engineer engaged'for the purpose, and if any ratepayer desires to see for himself the full report; it is. available 1 for inspection at'the,. Town Clerk's office during the ordinary business hours. The difficulty of finance is responsible for what re-, cent delay there has been. , The Councillors are •'endeavouring 1- to obtain a loan from the State Advances Office, at a 16V rate of interest, and if they succeed, the cost of the scheme will be appreciably reduced, for which the ratepayers should be duly grateful. We welcomed Mr'PurneU's letter. He sets a good example to other correspondents by always allowing his name to be affixed to his contributions, and his display of interest in the welfare of j the Borough is to be commended. He did lrbt state whether he is in favour or otherwise of the installation of modern drainage, but-, meanwhile, we assume that his interest is constructive and not destructive. Eew men are more experienced in municipal affairs, legal and otherwise, and his literary contributions to various journals prove that, he has his ideals. We remember that when the district war memorial was being discussed, he upheld generous views, advocating one great Canterbury structure at Christchui'c'li. Ji.is proposal found little local .support, but one who could display such breadth of vision can surely be counted as on the side of those who desire the borough' to pass from a state of saaiitary priinitiveness, and to accept the responsibilities of its present day prosperity and affluence. We are awaiting the result of the Council's financial negotiations before commenting on the details of the proposed sewerage scheme, but, on general principles, it is difficult to believe that any who pro-. fess and call themselves intelligent, can conscientiously oppose what is so very desirable.