TO THE EDITOR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 63, 15 March 1911, Page 8

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I have carefully read two letters on "Water and Drainage" in yesterday's Expkess, and being a citizen and a ratepayer in Blenheim, I hope yem will allow me fair and reasonable discussion on this important subject. Mr B. H. Penny gives a very good account of the C'hristchurch wator and drainage scheme; but he says nothing about the financial aspect of this momentous question. Blenheim and Christchurch are not to be compared, either in' population, wealth, or ratable property. Blenheim, with a population of a little over 3500, spread over an area of 1530 acres, with a public debt of i nearly £27,000 and an annual revenue of less than £4000, is asked to load itself with the sum of £65,000 for this drainage scheme.. Mr Penny admits in his letter that even if Blenheim's scheme is carried out in its entirety there will not be more than 4000 connections, and very probably only ohehalf of that number. The public debt of Blenheim will then amount to £92,000. The interest and sinkingfund, even at less than what the Government is said to have offered the money to the Council (at 4 per cent.) will amount to £3680, which is more thairi the whole annual revenue of Blenheim, and Mr Penny says there will not be more than 1000 connections. The* interest and sinking-fund on the £65,000 loan will amount to £2600—a1l for the convenience of 1000 houses; and we are told by the party in favor of this scheme that it will be a great public benefit. I understand there are over 1600 ratepayers in the town, and not one-half of the population will receive one fraction of benefit. We will tako the Islington and Drumclog portions of Blenheim, along i with Riversdale, containing 220 acres ] —ono-seyenth of the whole borough — | which will never reap one farthing's worth of good from this ill-considered and rash scheme. lam more anudous for* a, good gravitation scheme from the Waihopai thiat' would more than' half pay lor the interest in a few years,., and give ample pressure. I nearly forgot, to .mention the cost pf three engines. -Interest on that, cost fuel, oil, wages, wear-and-tear, insurance of men at pumping stations, will ■amount to £2000 a year. Capitaliso that sum, and you got £50,000 more mortgages on your borough. Fellow ratepayers, give t-his momentous question due consideration before you vote for or against this loan. ' R. ALLAN.Drumclog, 15th March.