PROGRESS AND STAGNATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXI, Issue 13343, 23 January 1904, Page 6

PROGRESS AND STAGNATION.

Sumner occupied itself yesterday in advertising the fact that it has now an efficientdrainage system, and the seaside borongh is entitled!both fc its advertisement and to the congratulations of its friends.- The Borough Council hais pursued its purpose in this direction with highly commendable zeal, and indeed the energy and progressiveness of the little town might well set its neighbours blushing. The Council's present object is to provide -residents with the conveniences of modem-.life, and we are sure that the borongh will be a mor© comfortable and a healthier place to live, in' because of the works that have been carried out. Street-lighting will come'next, we suppose, and then there will b© improvements .-on the sea frontage, but Sumner is in the meantime progressing quite well. We could wish, that Christchurch were as well equipped as some of its smaller neighbours. _ Sumner is supplied with a drainage system capable of meeting all requirements for many years to- come. Here in Christchurch ws drag along with a ’ system that serves about a quarter of the city. The Central Ward makes up for its deficiencies with a sealed pan system, but the outside wards are still left in a. state of naked and disgraceful barbarism. No man whose duties or pleasures do not take him abroad after midnight can realise how disgusting are some of our municipal methods, and haw •urgent is the need for a completed drainage system and a high-pressure water supply. Wo are ce (-kj-ieo behind other towns—behind toumne; cran—-in our civilisation, and wo demand the luxuries of (electric trams and refuse destructors i and river improvements’, while w© remain almost indifferent to the more important sanitary measures. When Mr IVigram is through with his water-supply scheme wc trust he will devote some of his apparently inexhaustible energy to this question of drain: age. Until wo get the water supply we cannot have a complete sewage system, and w© ought to have both. The actual .position in th© outer area is unspeakable.