The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Lueco Non Uro. MONDAY, 19th MAY, 1884.

Southland Times, Issue 4942, 19 May 1884, Page 2

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Lueco Non Uro. MONDAY, 19th MAY, 1884.

The result of the interview held by the Insurance Agents with the Council on Thursday night was altogether disappointing. But probably any attempt to strike fire out of the present Municipal body will disappoint those who make it. It was hoped that at last, with the glare of so many conflagrations scarcely out of their eyes, and in the presence of a deputation representing both an important branch of business and the citizens of Invercargill, there would have been some little show of warmth anr] enthusiasm. On the contrary, the address from the Chair was about as cold as if it had been run over beforehand by all the available water inthe place, or rather had come fresh out of the freezing- room of the Mataura. There was not anywhere a spark visible of sympathy or earnestness in a matter, at all times of the deepest moment to the town, and to the importance of which circumstances had just given the strongest emphasis. With unconscious irony, the Mayor informed the deputation that the subject had been before the Council in various ways for about three years, and that in that time they had actually taken steps— not to get this the most pressing business on their hands through — but to ascertain facts as to a source of supply. The Mayor could not more emphatically have written the Council's condemnation. Three years to ascertain facts— three years to quarrel over what they signified — and perhaps three years more to make some practical use of them. This, according to the present municipal pace, is likely to be the outcome of the Council's efforts. But then came the grand excuse that had served so well to baffle the persistence of the only man in the Council of last year who had the provision of a water supply really at heart. " The , whole question rested with the citizens." If this is truly the opinion of the Mayor and his Councillors, we think the sooner the whole corporation clears out, the better, and leaves its room t > those who know what the. duty of a municipal body is. We deny that the whole question rests with the citizens. T he ultimate disposal of any specific plan for a water supply does rest with the citizens, but the duty of framing a plan and of taking the initiatory steps to put it in execution lies unquestionably with the Council. It is precisely en this" point that the Council has shown its weakness. When it ought to have led, it has shown itself incapable of leading ; and now, after its wretched failure of years, it comes forward and tells us, through its head, that it is still waiting, and that "the whole question rests with the people." Tbe Mayor went farther, and told the deputation plaintively that " he had expected " something would be laid before them as " to the matter, but nothing further had " been evolved than was often stated at "the Council." Leaning on the public again ! Kxpecting help from the representatives of the Insurance Companies, whose duties began and ended with a statement of the wants of the town in respect of water, and who would have been entirely out of their place in proposing a method of meeting them. Councillor Basstian's contribution to the discussion was in the form of a question as to the Fire Brigade subsidy that had been paid but discontinued by the companies ; and Councillor McDonald contented himself with . jntjmating that he thought the companies had been guijty in this matter of a breach of faith. His Worship combated the proposal to get a temporary mfoly gf water, dwellipg on

the expense ; and after thanking the deputation, told them that they would see the result of their application at an early date. And so ended, with remarkable tameness, what was expected to be one of the most stirring chapters in the history of the great water question. It seems quite clear that the one thing the Mayor and Council are afraid of is hav-. ing frankly to accept their responsibility for the carrying through of this great business. We do not know what it is that frightens them — whether it is a doubt of their own ability ; or the anticipated reluctance of the ratepayers to bear fresh taxation ; or the labor that so difficult an enterprise would entail upon themselves. We do not know what stands in the way, but we feel sure that, had the Council been in earnest, it could not have separated on Thursday night without discussing the question that had been forced on it in so significant a manner. Time has certainly been lost when time was of the utmost value. It had been explained clearly enough that events, the consequence of previous delay, had brought the citizens to the pass that either they would have to pay double rates of insurance or might fail to get their property insured at all. The Mayor spoke of the cost of getting a temporary supply of water. But what about the cost of remaining without it ? It is a singular question, that about what we can afford and wnat we cannot afford. The truth is that we can afford what we •earnestly desire, and cannot afford the things for which we have no great inclination. The gutters might be made to ran with the whisky that we drink, but we cannot afford the expense of water to put out fires and secure the health and comfort of the community. But, as a simple result of calculation, we may accept this fact, that the expense of continuing without water will be far greater than the expense of obtaining it in some of the ways open to us. It has been pointed out that temporary measures may be of such a character that what they effect will work in with a permanent scheme to be by and by devised. At the very least the various methods of getting a temporary supply should be carefully considered and their cost estimated without delay. Nothing less than this will satisfy the public mindj and to this the efforts of the Council should at once be devoted. It would certainly be well if the citizens were to give expression to their opinion, that there may be no more pretence of sheltering behind their presumed indifference. - !