The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1918.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4876, 23 May 1918, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1918.

It is with great satisfaction that we ote that the confernce between Mr. Lysar and the “City ’athers” proved a happy gathering. The members of the Council are really deserving of great praise on account of the splendid attention which they paid to the important matter that had to "he considered. Certainly their deliberations at yesterday’s conference were on a much higher level than those which characterised at least one recent meeting of the Council when much of the “debating”—if such it might for appearance sake be described—was of a loose and frivolous kind. In short, the ‘‘City Fathers,” in their conference with Mr. Lysnar, settled down to the discussion of the proposal which lie has made in a thoroughly busi-ness-like stylo. We must congratulate Mr. Lysnar on the earnestness which he continued to display on the subject; and the Council on coming to the best decision that was open to its members to make. There was ‘nothing worth mentioning in the shape of obstructionist tactics—a pleasing change in the situation as compared with what transpired in earlier discussions with reference to the tramways problem—and in the end a strong and unanimous feeling was displayed in favor of the Council giving Mr. Lysnar all the aid within its power to enable him to carry out his very generous offer. The ratepayers, of course, cannot fail to appreciate the point that this is the first occasion in which the “City Fathers” have reached‘unanimity in regard to the important problem of the tramways. In the circumstances, however, criticism to the effect that previously councillors have not seemingly known their own minds in the matter is to be deprecated. Mr. Lysnar has now shown the Council a way out of its difficulties and, as he has, in some quarters, been greatly blamed for having, allegedly, got the borough into a fix by Inducing an earlier Council to

3] A Contest c against n the Clock. I

idopt tlie system in vogue here, it ,vill be widely trusted that he will succeed in retrieving the situation. [f anybody can enlist Mr. Edison s sympathies in the matter of Gis- j borne’s tramway plight it is Mr. ; Lysnar. We feel certain that Mr. Edison will assist Mr. Lysnar in his efforts to make the local experiment : in connection with the battery systern a complete success. The rate-4 payers, it is to bo hoped, appreciate ! the fact that, if the Council were simply to continue a tramways policy : which is little better than “marking time,” it would be a matter of only i a few short years when the present j apology for a tramways system would have to be put on the scrap-heap. Whether the fact is realised or not this town is engaged in an enforced contest with the clock over the tramways problem. No municipality could afford to maintain for many years a debt-accumulating tramways system. Now is the time for the civic authorities to take a progressive step. If much further time should be allowed to elapse it would only add to the difficulties to be confronted. Maybe also it would prove impossible for the borough to extricate itself from the present unfortunate position if it left matters until the exigencies of | the Avar might become an insuper- | able obstacle to progress. The “City Fathers” are, therefore, to be com- ' mended on their decision to strike the iron whilst it is hot—or in other Avoids to take advantage of Mr. Lysnar’s unique but firm offer. Come what may, Mr. Lysnar’s offer guarantees the borough against loss ol revenue in regard to its tramway. l for three years after the completion of his undertaking. It is hinted ir some quarters that Mr. Lysnar mai skimp the AA'ork which he offers t< carry out. That is a bogey. Th< ratepayers may take it that the Pub lie Works Department will insist or its requirements being strictly ad liered to. No better guarantee cai be got. It is, therefore, to b< trusted that no time Avill be lost oi the part of either side to the nego tiations in reaching a satsfnetor; final arrangement so that Mr. Lys nar may go’straight ahead with hi undertaking. _