The Evening Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 510, 29 August 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1871.

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do."

There has naturally been considerable notice taken of the Fire Brigade iv connection with the late burning at the Exchange Buildings. It is not the first time that this Brigade has come in for a share of comment; in fact such comment, whether it finds a way, into the press or not, ia freely in-7, dulged in on the occasion of every fir,, in the city. On the present occasicr the conduct of the operations in co? nection with the fire has receive the honour of a leading article in each of' the two morning papers. That the Brigade should be wholly without defenders is unreasonable to expect, for there is nothing in existence but has friends more or less, But what possible purpose can be discovered as served by any Operations for the extinction of fires in this city, is a matter exceedingly difficult to discover. This, no doubt, is Hot wholly owing to the inefficiency of the Brigade, but is in part-due to the lack of appliances, and notably water. By some singular conjuncture of circumstances, things never are to the hands of the Brigade when a fire is to be suppressed ; and the most valuable portion of time is wasted in looking out, first for one thing and then for another; unless we except that portion of time which is Consumed by the members of the Brigade in dressing themselves for the occasion. We should really like to know if the members are in the habit of breakfasting before leaving for the scene of operations. It is a bad thing, we know, to engage in any violent exercise with an empty stomach; and though the performances of the Brigade, and especially on the most recent occasion—could, by no stretch of a friendly imagination, be described as " violent exercise," still the mere disturbance to the system by the part taken by the men, there being a vacuum in the digestive apparatus, might be productive of unpleasant consequences. So long, therefore, as the present system continues, with the intention of making the Brigade aa effective as possible, we would suggest that refreshments should be provided at the fire, and that, a caterer being appointed to act at the sound of the bell, the temptation would-be removed from the members of partaking of breakfast before leaving home for the fire, it being known to them that breakfast would be furnished to them on the ground. As there is apparently not sufficient public spirit in Auckland for the institution of a Volunteer Corps of firemen, and people require a quid pro X;-~* -ma, wniilrl oiicf<j»»a<-. r fliaf, an aitoration might be made in top payment reuueiw. r'j?bi} instead of giving a pecuniary inducement to the Brigade to permit the fire time to get well lighted, it might be well to pay them so much per minute for each minute saved in arriving at the scene and getting to work. For every minute saved of ten minutes let sixpence be given and a lump sum for the suppression of the fire if done within a certain length of time. This, with breakfast provided, would, we think, have a most beneficial effect in stimulating the Brigade, and might have some effect in staying the progress of a fire, instead of fires burning themselves out as occurs invariably under the present system. In this, example might be taken from those who pay their doctors for not making them sick, but for keeping them well, by giving a stated amount per annum for medical treatment when requisite, instead of paying for every visit. Beyond all question, the present system may have a tendency to increase the number of fires and to make them as destructive as possible.