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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4143, 1 July 1874, Page 2

To persons uninitiated in the mysteries of the conduct of the Municipal business of Wellington, it would appear singular that a system which should be thorough for the proper drainage of the City has not been decided upon and commenced. Some questions relating to the well-being of the port are complicated by a responsibility being connected with them that is ingeniously shifted from one shoulder to another, and in consequence they are not dealt with. But in the case of the drainage of the city, there is no uncertainty. Every intelligent person knows that proper drainage is imperiously necessary for sanitary reasons, and that non-drainage or bad drainage is a fruitful cause of disease. At least a score diseases of a zymotic character are traceable to the poisonous miasma arising from ground that is literally in a state of fermentation with liquid nastiness. Then again, there is no question as to whoso duty it is to provide efficient drainage for the City. It is as important an one as the Municipal Council is charged with. This the Council quite understands, and is willing, if not anxious, to proceed with it. Moreover there is no doubt as to the modus operandi. There is a portion of the work that falls on the Provincial authorities, and it they are prepared to commence. It is estimated that an expenditure of about £ISOO will be incurred, two-thirds of which would have to be defrayed by the Council, and the remainder by the Provincial Government, the latter furnishing the former with a map of the town, containing the levels properly laid down on it. All this has been understood for the past six months, and but for the passing of a motion last week that something should be done, no steps have been taken. The matter has been allowed to drift in a manner that is very unsatisfactory _ to many of the Councillors. The population of the town is rapidly increasing, and if an agreement were entered into with the Provincial Government for the preparation of the map, many months must elapse before this preliminary step could bo completed. How is it, some persons will ask, that there is such extraordinary negligence 1 Is any one at fault, and if so, who? The answer for this is not far to seek. A resolution was carried in the Council, months ago,' that the Provincial authorities should be communicated with on the matter. What was required was something formal and definite in the shape of a reply, for the Council to proceed upon. When this was asked for, it was not to be had. Mon of business do not act upon conversations that havo taken place months previously. A specific reply should have been obtained by the Mayor from the Superintendent, to bo acted upon or otherwise. Every thing, as we have shewn, depended upon the possession of the map alluded to. No tenders could be called for drainage until this map, with specifications, could be produced. A Bill was passed through Parliament empowering the Council to raise the necessary money for a thorough drainage scheme, but without the map no work can be undertaken. Meanwhile, there is another consideration beside the sanitary one. Like most other makeshifts, the present system—or want of system—is costly. ' The money of the ratepayers is being fiddled away. Every now and then some small piece of drainage has to be executed in order to render things a little clean and decent; but no one can say that the money thus expended will not prove to havo been thrown away, by the work being unnecessary under a complete system. There is a good sower under the reclaimed land in front of the Provincial buildings, and also down a portion of Thorndon quay, but it is not partial work that is required, and the advantage of grappling with the subject whilst tho City is in its youth is very obvious. No one contends that tho whole of the drainage should bo done at once. All that is required is that it should bo commenced and carried out systematically and gradually. A site for a town could scarcely bo conceived in which greater natural advantages for thorough sewerage existed, and really, in regard for tho health of tho inhabitants, we do trust that there may bo no more shilly-shallying with so important a matter. No one likes to virtually depose the Mayor by undertaking to do that which it ought to bo his pleasure to perform; but Councillors have a duty to those who elect them, and this they will bo forced to make a primary consideration unless his Worship should awake from tho state of inertia in which ho has boon reposing. Tho Mayoral dignity must not bo connected with the Castle of Indolence, the tenant of which for tho time being shall perpetually enjoy his dolca far niantc. The state of things wo havo alluded to is very sad when looked at from another and wholly distinct point of view. To seo public works being proceeded with satisfactorily, with all proper and duo despatch, is so much more pleasant than to see improvements in a state of stagnation. Tho Council during some periods of its history has dono good work for Wellington, and it is with regret that wo observe it subsiding into “shallows and miseries.” Energy and progress are so very much more pleasing to witness than imperfection and a stationary condition. Tho character of the. Council is really involved in tho disposition of tho matter. One that has for years enjoyed a reputation for vigor and activity will, in all human probability, bo succeeded by one of a similar character, and tho contrary. There are gentlemen in the present Council to whom time is money, and who must contrast their own business arrangements with municipal government to tho disadvantage of the latter. There is a growing

feeling that purely local business is best transacted under local government : but Wellington appears to be unfortunate in this matter. Bublic works of a most important character are required, but no one undertakes them.