ALTERNATIVE COURSES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 3 May 1938, Page 4

ALTERNATIVE COURSES

LABOUR’S WATER POLICY MR. COLEMAN’S PLEDGE MIL BULL CRITICISED A pledge to immediately investigate and test out water supply schemes reported upon by Messrs. Vickerman and Lancaster and to place two alternative proposals before the ratepayers was given by Mr. D. W, Coleman. M.P., in his address to local body electors in Mangapapa last night. Immediate attention would be given to the water supply, Mr. Coleman said. Various schemes reported upon oy Messrs. Vickerman and Lancaster, would be tested, and two of them would be placed before the ratepayers He denied the imputation in anonymous correspondence that he was wedded to the Waipaoa River filtration scheme, and said he would give full consideration to the recommendations of Messrs. Vickerman and Lancaster, an eminent firm of engineers. Their appointment to make a report on the water supply was the proposition of his opponent, Mr. N. H. Bull, but because they had not reported in the way Mr. Bull would have liked them to report, their ideas were no good. Four or Five Schemes

That was the first time in the history of Gisborne that a filtration scheme was suggested, and because of that great prominence that had been given to the scheme. But that was not the only scheme Messrs. Vickerman and Lancaster had reported upon. They had reviewed four or five schemes. No scheme could be put into operation unless sanctioned by the Local Bodies’ Loans Board, as well as being thoroughly analysed by the Public Works Department and Health Department.

He pledged himself that after the schemes had been analysed the Labour members on the council would place at least two alternative proposals before the ratepayers.

Gisborne had always lived in danger of losing its pipe line, which was through rough and rugged country and going over at least three or four bridges. Seven chains of the pipeline had now been broken, so that no longer could the borough be called on to rely on the 22 miles of pipeline.

Not His Responsibility

One of the anonymous writers had accused the speaker of putting o pumping plant on the Waipaoa River at a cost of £SOO, but Mr. Coleman said that this was placed there when Mr. John Jackson was Mayor, and Mr. Jackson was' now organiser for Mr. Bull’s campaign.

“I have not been responsible for spending one penny piece near the Waipaoa River," Mr. Coleman continued, “but the river has got to be tested out, and I do not care what criticism is offered, and I do not care what council or Mayor are elected, the scheme has got to be tested out. "The council unanimously decided to instal the pilot plant at a, cost of £250. Cr. Bull voted for it. When anyone does not vote against a thing and comes out on the public platform and criticises what has been done, one doubts his sincerity, and whether or not he is speaking with his tongue in his cheek.”

Other campaign reports on page 16.