The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1888.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5250, 20 June 1888, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1888.

Considering the amount of damage that has been done to the Marino Parade, and to tho water service of the borough, it is to be hoped that the Municipal Council will no longer shilly-shally over the preitective works that are so much needed. We are perfectly well aware that the Council, being a representative body, has to regard the objections raised by those parts of the town that are not affected by heavy seas and tidal waves, but, nevertheless, it is its duty to take measures for the protection of any part "of the borough that may be in danger. Moro especially in this so when, •as in this case, tho pipes of the high pressure water supply aro endangered. By professional advice, we presume, the Council authorised the-.laying of those pipes along Marine Parade, and now, unless a sea-wall is constructed to protect the road, the town will lose the benefit of its high pressure water supply. The question narrows itself down to this : —ls it cheaper to build the wall, or to shift the pipes? By constructing the wall two birds can bo killed witli ono stone — both the road and tho pipes would bo protected—whereas nothing would be gained by shifting the pipes, which would cost almost as much as tho wall. This matter has boen before the public for a considerable period—quite long enough for the Council to mako up its mind what to do, and the Municipal Corporations Act gives it ample power to undertake the work by special loan. If a special loan is required to be raised due uotiee of such intention has to bo .publish, d setting forth tlio particular work to bo undertaken, the sum proposed to be borrowed, and the rate to bo levied. A meeting of the burgesses has then to bo called to consider the proposal, and a day fixed for taking a poll of the burgesses affected by tho rate, and interested in the work. If a majority of the burgesses vote in favor of the proposal, and the number, so voting are entitled to moro than ono half in number of tho votes which can be exercised by tho whole number of burgesses. on tho special roll, then the resolution is declared carried. Thiß is tho obvious courso to be taken if the residents along the Marino Parade wero alono interested in tho work. But we maintain that as the high-pressure mains run along tho thoroughfare tho protection of the Parade is one in which the whole borough ia deeply interested. It is not any cheap and nasty patchwork which will answer the purpose, but a permanent work which will cost a considerable sum of money, which will have to bo raised by a special loan. It is very far from our wish that increased local taxation should bo imposed, but the borough has a duty to perform which cannot be shirked. It is well enough known that tho work will havo to bo undertaken sooner or later, and tho sooner it is set about tho less monoy will be lost by damage to property.|