The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1887. STEAM FIRE ENGINE,

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1716, 22 November 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1887. STEAM FIRE ENGINE,

The. question of procuring a steam fire engine for Ashburton seems to be commencing to agitate the public mind, and a requisition to the Mayor, asking him to convene a meeting of burgesses to express their views on the subject, is meeting with a favorable reception. We are afraid that their action may be looked upon m the light of «• locking the stable door after the steed is stolen "—just a little too late. It is to be regretted that they did not move m the master before the resolution was passed at the last meeting of the Council—" That the Council proceed to procure a steam fire engine (as recommended m the Fire Brigade Committee's repori) when is guaranteed by subscription." That resolution undoubtedly empowers the Council to procure a steam fire engine when the is guaranteed m sub scriptfons, even m opposition to an almost unanimous desire on the part of the burgesses m the opposite direction. We do not, however, suppose that the Council would push nvatters to such extremes, and we shall not be surprised m the event of the requisition being signed by a sufficient number of burgesses to find that his Worship accedes to the prayer of the requisition and convenes the desired meeting. Even were the Council not disposed tt> be bound by any resolution passed unless the burgesses mustered m great farce, ard the resolutions were carried unanimously, still, the rafeeting would not be without good results. There may be, and doubtless are many misapprehensions, misconceptions, or mistaken notions floating about with regard to cost of maintainingengine, sufficiency of water supply for the whole township, and the intentions of the Fire Insurance Association, which would doubtless be removed by the advocates of the scheme, who would most probably attend with statistics, data, etc., sufficient to cet at rest any doubts on these important points. This would have a beneficial effect, as it would tend to remove any misgivings or heart-burnings the burgesses might entertain on the subject. '