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Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 12 February 1873, Page 2

Only the other day some of the finest buildings m Tauranga had a very narrow escape of being burnt to the ground. Had there not been a public meeting assembled at the time, which at Discs provided a supply of willing bands, we doubt rry much wnet tier the whole of the northern i d ol tne Reach Koad would not have been laid o s. Considering that nearly every building ■ Vaaring'i •* built of wood, it is hardly to be supposed that- when fire has once gained a complete LolJ the budding in flames can be saved ; stnl a regularly organised body of men, with proper appliances, might be the means of saving much valuable property and preventing the fire extending. Isolated houses lying any distance back, if on fire, stand a very poor chance owing to the limited supply of water that would be available, but along the Beach Hoad and its vicinity, where the business and most valuable buildings are situated, there is the sea at hand, and simple appliances, with properly organised labour, would be the means, if not of quenching, at ail events of confining any fire to a particular building. When we contemplate the mischief a single fire might possibly do to this rising town, wu .tuiuK ir high time that some measures were taken to place the inhabitants in a position to control what is “ a good servant, but a bad master.” We do not, in the first instance, consider a very largo fire engine absolutely necessary Either a small one, or a large hand • igine similar to those used for washing ships’ ‘decks, would supply a continual stream of water if sufficient hose were provided to be at all times able to reach the tides ; buckets, too, would be necessary, also two or throe strong but light ladders. Still, experience proves that even the best appliances are comparatively useless unless properly directed. Another thing perhaps many of our readers are not aware of, and that is, that anyone, unless duly authorised, is responsible for any damage ho may do in destroying a building, even if ic bo done to prevent a fire spreading. This shows the great necessity for having a recognised constituted authority to superintend and direct what should be done in case of ura. We would suggest that a public meeting bo called to take into consideration these matters, and to form a fire brigade. There ar ‘\ we believe, agents for two insurance companies in the town, ana no doubt these companies, believing the old adage “ that prevention is better than cure ' (-’ t.. cheaper), would be willing to assist in providing engine, hose, &c. We cannot close these r'marks without referring to the folly of not insuring. A very email premium will secure a man against total loss by fire. A trifle put by every week would in many instances prevent the ruin of a family. Friday jnext will be St. Valentine’s Day. The custom of sending valentines is very ancient, but its origin much contra verted. Saint Valentino was a presbyter of the Church, who was martyred under Claudius 11, at Rome, A.D. 271 {vide iruzetfeur). We don’t know anything more about the ! .reable saint, and, what is more, don’t want to know. The only valentine the writer ever received was of a particularly uncomplimentary nature, and tne memory of that valentine “ riles ” him the anniversary of another day draws nigh. Let’s drop the subject. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Joseph Faulkner was charged with stealing, at Te Puna, on the 15; h of June last, three bullocks, the proper! y of air John Alley, of Napier.’ The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Naden applied tor a remand, in order to procure necessary witnesses. Tae prisoner was remanded for eight days. Several reports are in circulation respecting the alleged theft, but iu justice to the prisoner in a pending case we cannot give them, publicity. m _r graphic communication between Auckland luu m,; ura was suspended from Saturday last, at 10 o’clock, until the same hour -• fij*lo ’A I• r hiy. The cause was a breakage of liio Wire be tv, een Eatikati and Qrahamstown. V* e learn that Captain Simpson has commenced operations upon the Opoliki and Poverty Bay Road, at Ormond, An error occurred in our last report of proceedings in Resident Magistrate’s Court, whereby it was made to appear that the charge against Mr Bennett for keeping pigs in the township was ” dismissed with costs.” This is hardly correct, tne case wus dismissed on defendant promising to remove the pigs in question, and paying 28s costs. _ B< a private telegram wo learn that the Hon. Mr Casey arrived at Napier on Tuesday last, lie expresses himself greatly delighted by his overland trip, and is quite enthusiastic about the beauties ot ilutomaliami. 1 he Carandini’s are drawing crowded bouses at Hokitika,

In another column appears the proirrarr, " an enteriammout to bo given a nf., r of and gentlemen amateurs on Fnd av ev!” ° f lad 7 at the Memorial Schoolroom' L e . n , ln S oexq J*** S {&* & b il of fare is varied and entieirirr *h Irie doubted!j a good one, and we Uu to see “ a bumper house.” ‘ a J nop a Judgment will be given this Resident Mug.strata’s Court, in th!" lE r #t the case Macfari aae y. Anderson/ ud J°uruod The enquiry into certain charts ,w Mr J. B. Russell, solicito , a.ain^t h RM , commenced at the Supremo bers, Auckland, on Tuesday last. Tb» m Uaa ” ° m t .«ed p : ,late n “ ure ’ a! “ 1 ”!»«•»»«h u rj We have often addled our brains and rt „, , generally, pondering on the r,i‘i- h! " 3 ® iTes ;'Tf- How *-?• <'■“« »»f<.KS; i hiih hearen so awlullv, that the" «*.» ■» ■ i -oded for all lime compelled to r .rr/on V ? rl,iafin g‘7 alarming sacrifice F Why 'L? t bI l a« rending howl be— £ Sia.muter "t’ heart " reductions ! ! !’ ‘Ruin! ruil f. d V, , reductions 1 ! ‘l5O per eon'- fa e w Lnawircl of * Awfui —! down again*!’ ° Why™ every paper m . the colony contain these hi * mg announcements ? Wo have freonentß "* served the faces of men th-it w- y os ' are guilty of being drapers,' and* wVneJ^ 00 * traced the faintest reflex of all the ruin tf y?t and agony they announce so p-wh^mf*' 116 ; profusely. Why don’t the s /, aad of hand and drop it P ~ a umtfd oufc

Mr John Francis Maguire i 3 dead and TV i, throughout the world will * Sir M-.eu.re was „ true fri-sr-d hj , an enthusiastic supporter of the cause earn,,* 1 bj tae great Daniel O’Conned, Mr Mirriif d(ed m Dublin on the Ist of November ItUt “and* we regret to say, left his family de-titute An appeal is now being made through the pnW.'.v their behalf, an appeal which, w ° e a « £ cheerfully responded to by bis warm Wed countrymen. near-ea We have to acknowledge receipt of the Church Gazette for January The number contains a considerable amount of excellent matter, amo „ a , which Jtxtraots from the published no-es of the recent visit or the Bishop of Auckland to Norfolk Island is conspicuous. Want of space alouprevents us from re-publishing the account ofth-s very interesting Pastoral yisifc.