CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9168, 17 August 1908, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

* (To the Editor). Sir, —A poll is before the ratepayers of Masterton to-day to sanction the borrowing of a sum of money to improve the present drainage system which has been condemned, and also to extend the drainage system to the present undrained parts of the boroughs The proposal is meeting with slight opposition. The voters, and especially the working men voters of the undrained areas, should consider well who the opponents are. Chief amongst those up to the present are two well known and much respected residents of this town. It is satisfactory to know that both those gentlemen reside in parts of the borough that have the benefits of the high pressure water supply, and also the drainage. It is also quite interesting to know that they oppose the borrowing of money to supply other residents of the, town with the same conveniences that they enjoy. Those gentlemen have well-trimmed lawns kept always green with the spinning spray from the borough water in the burning heat of last summer, when the cottager's garden was withered and dead. The home of the opponents to the present loan was well supplied with delicious peaches and juicy tomatoes, grown with the help of a bounteous supply of borough water. And at the close of the day, while those gentlemen smoked their choice Havanna or fragrant cigarette their eye' was refreshed with an acre or so of verdant lawn, due entirely to the borough water, supply. It is well to remember that the back premises of the opponents to this loan are connected with the present drainage system, and that, in short, all the surroundings of those gentlemen are sweet and clean. It is consoling to know that a choice! little party at their house is never in any danger of breaking up in confusion on getting a whiff of "Pharoah's Chariot." But while we are grateful for the sweet peace that surrounds the home of the, wealthy man who opposes this loan, it would be well to remember that there are a great many houses in the borough with no drainage whatever, that the surroundings of those houses are quite dangerous to the health of the inhabitants of that part of the borough, and that the Council is now desirous of putting those; persons on the same level of comfort, cleanliness and health as that enjoyed by the residents in the drainage area. An effort is being made to-day to give every resident of this (own fair and equal treatment in the way of efficient drainage for their homes. Unselfish ratepayer- will support the proposal. —Yours/ etc ,

JOHN YAER.

Sir,—On Monday ratepayers are to be called upon to vote for the proposed drainage loan, and also for the pur-' chase of the Showground site. As a ratepayer and a business man of this town, 1 would advise the ratepayers to vote for the (loans in both cases. Aony person who has given the matter serious thought: .can come to no other conclusion, especia'ly in regard to the drainage loani that in the interest of public health, ic should be carried. Looking at the matter in a different light, is it not selfish on the part of those who enjoy the present I water and drainage systems to debar ' those at present outside the area, ! from being able to enjny the advantages of 'he drainage. To those who heard Dr. Frengley on this matter at the decent meeting in the Exchange Hall, it was made perfectly clear that the system adopted in these outer areas of private septic tanks, as well as the ordinary earth w.c., is fraught with very great danger, and the Mayor at that meet- ! iug also proved that the ext-a rate required would be a very pmall item; when it is taken into consideration he great benefits to be derived from the extension of the drainage. Another, matter not to be lost sight of is the fact that whether the present poll is carried or not the existing outfall wil! have to be removed, and this work is included in the proppsed loan. So I say, vote for all the proposals, and help to make this town healthier and better in every respect. —1 am, etc., S ANITAS. Masterton, August 15th.