THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13834, 22 February 1907, Page 7

THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Sin,—ln Mr Cardow's report upon the Noblo Anderson drainago scherao I havo taken a passing interest, for 1 have followed up tho bottomless undertaking from its inception. -When it is estimated that the sum of nearly half a million will ho ro- : quired to complete tho original scheme as ' modified by Mr Cardow, what will bo tho amount required by property-owners to mako tho house- connections with tho small sowers'/ That, I fancy, can only ho guessed at. It probably may run into a fow hundred thousand pounds. Whatcvor it, is, tho cost of theso connections and tho drainage rates havo to bo included in tho tonants' rent. Thero aro unfortunately just now a largo number • of shops and villas to let, tho former partly caused through tho tram ■ car stopping places being too far apart, and tho latter on account of largo ■ numbers of investors and speculators cutting ' it out too fast. When thero aro so many properties in tho drainago area which cannot bo shworcd, why should those propertyowners ctoso to smaller sewors or drains lie forced to'connect if not inclined to? For a small community, comparatively speaking, wo havo been "forcing tho paw" by borrowing right up to our necks for tramways, water, electricity, and gas. But the optimist will more than likely say that all these ventures will bo more than solf-supportm?. Water, we must have; but tho interest, which has first call on tho capital investe-'!. has to be found from amongst ourselves, as the visitors or tourists contribute but very littlo revenue towards tho support of our great undertakings. When it, is suggested by a business man that wo should procure flic "best man in (he,world" at a salary of £5000 per annum to unravel tho complex ; drainago scheme I don't think I am alone in saying that that is " tall" talk. Thero aro very few business men in this city who give thoir managers over £500 a year; at that figuro thoy aro quito a rarity. The tendency at tho present, time with thc,groatcr portion of our population is "novor mind the why and wherefore about matters drainage and municipal, so long as thoy get plenty of holidays and know .the results of tho different 6ports throughout tho year. That is all right enough in its way, when it is not overdone—l am, etc., February 16. Manuka. THR COMMISSION OF THE PEACE. Sir,—Within the last fow weeks two- residents of South Dunedin have gone to their long rest, and both of tticso gentlemen— Messrs Sullivan and Wardrop—wore justices of tho peace. Both have done good work in South Dunedin, Mr Wardron ir particular having been a very useful citizcr and easy of access for the signing of doer ments or for giving advice to the nun persons who were wont to seek it. If South Dunedin is- to havo ils nnotr other justices must bo appointed. 1 have not the least desire to advocate the claim: of any gentleman in particular, m.v on I desire being to wo gentlemen appointed who are respected by all classes of the community. Our local member, Mr T. K Sidey, will, without a doubt, have a liir say in the recommendations to the Ministei of Justice, and I would like to ask Mr Sidey to refrain from rccomiiicmling ai illiterate or any other gentleman who won' allow his bias to act against a-n iiarlicnh party or sect, or who,, when a docuinoi lias to he signed, will take 10 or 15 minut' to find out. what he has to sign. We nnone at least that can bo called upon ahm.. > at any time of tho day, one.that can Urelied upon to give a fair hearing to any class of the community, one that has a imp of business affairs, and who has sufficient l intelligence to understand what his duties are, without making himself a laughing

stock and bringing justice • into contempt. Thoro are ono or two men in South Duncdin who could fill such a position and bo a credit to the district. On tho other land, there are those who, iE appointed, would undoubtedly bring justice into disrepute; and in consequence.l most respectfully ask those who havo a say in these appointments not to take any risk by way of an experiment.— I am, etc., A Lover of Justice. Dunndin, February 16.