South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2953, 12 September 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1882.

The Borough Council had before it last night two matters of considerable importance in their respective departments. The one was the application of a nurseryman, who asked to be allowed a water supply, for his flower garden of three-quarters of an acre in extent. He stated that he intended using only, a bucket (not a hose), that he wanted the supply only for the purpose of watering a small flowergarden.- The. first idea naturally suggesting itself in connection with this case, would be to refer the applicant to the classification of consumers adopted by the Council, and to point out to him that coming under the head of gardeners, he could only be supplied with a minimum quantity of 80,00.0 gallons, at a cost of something (we believe) over £lO per annum. The 1 Council, however, having considered the case, determined to,, grant the applicant the limited supply he wanted, at a reduced figure of £3 per annum. The reason for this action was stated by one Councillor that it would be impolitic and unjust to lay down cast iron rules and permit no escape from them, every case must be considered on its merits, and, in the present . instance, the Council being satisfied'of the honesty and straightforwardness of the applicant, there appeared no grounds for refusing him the limited supply. A principle was involved here. It requires a certain skill to draw the line at which concession shall end and regulation begin ; especially In connection with the water scheme. It is desired to popularise the water, supply throughout the town, and the surest way of doing so is to consider the individual needs of the burgesses. As long as this can be done without violation of the broad principle of fair play, it should be done. We refer to this ; matter Be*cause a good many hard things have been said of the expiring Council, in relation to the water supply, and we think the other side of the picture ought to be shown, in order that the burgesses may see that *• the municipal devil of Timara,” we quote the words of one Councillor, “ is not quite so black as be is painted.”

The other case is the elaborate motion of Councillor Filmer re sewage. He proposed to utilize the water pressure for closets, in order that nightsoil might be carried off—taking care to have the most complete apparatus employed in every case so as to guard against contamination of the water. This led to a good, deal of discussion and the motion - was withdrawn. The objection to adopting the water closet, in contradistinction to the pan system, lay in the undrained condition of the town. It was very forcibly put by Or. Gibson that hot thing could be more dangerous to the public health than the effluvia from night soil, that at present the only outlet for such (if the water-closet system were adopted) would be the present sewers ; that the sewers were simply short funnels, and, with the wind in certain quarters, the seeds of disease would be blown back upon the town. The motion being withdrawn, the matter has dropped, but the drainage proposals of which this reminds us are not dropped. It is increasingly evident that Timaru will not much longer be able to remain undrained, and one of the most important matters claiming the attention of the new Council will be a drainage scheme, to which wo hopd to see early attention given.

The Borough Council treated the charges made against their executive officer in a letter read at last night’s meeting as they ought, to ( be' treated, and as was due to the high character and faithful services of Mr Lough. We heartily applaud the vigorous action of those who, being dissatisfied with certain actions of the 'Council, are of opinion that the importation of “ new; blood ” will set matters right. Let the Council be ever so good a one, the public interest will always gain by a disturbing of the waters ; there is nothing like keeping things moving.

People in office, just as much as people in business want the stimulous of competition.' Therefore success to the burgesses. Butin attacking the Town Clerk, some of them have made a grievous mistake.. We do not only mean that an attack upon so energetic nntiring, and experienced a servant of the Council is unwarranted, or even that there is a certain cowardice in venting spleen upon the servant because one has a quarrel with the master. We regard it as a mistake in this sense—whoever goes into office in the Council will find that that body depends a good deal upon the ability, the knowledge, and the carefulness of its chief officer. It is surely a great mistake to weaken, or strive to weaken, the influence, or detract from, the merits of that official, especially when we all know that for years he has been faithful in bis dealings with the Council, and. courteous in his, intercourse with the public.