The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, DEC. 2, 1865.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 804, 2 December 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, DEC. 2, 1865.

The public meeting yesterday will, we trust result in some definite and satisfactory settlement of tlie affairs of the Fire Brigade. It is exceedingly undesirable tlxat tlie only organised force we have for extinguishing fires in the city should be on the brink of dissolution owing to the inadequacy of the funds subscribed towards its support. The only difficult question, however, which appears to require adjustment is the mode in which the money necessary for the maintenance of the Brigade should be raised, for we there is a perfect unanimity of opinion that the Brigade should be well supported. Hitherto its funds have depended entirely on public subscriptions ; but now that Corporate powers have been conferred on the city, it appears to be by far the most satisfactory . course that the Brigade should be maintained at the united cost of the ratepayers. Voluntary subscriptions are somewhat objectionable as applied to institutions like the Fire Brigade, the advantages of which tire shared by every person who has property in the city. If the subscription lists of the Brigade could be examined, we have no doubt that it would be found that comparatively only a small number of the citi zens have contributed to the funds, and it is manifestly unfair that this should continue. The ratepayers would, we are satisfied, willingly submit to a general rate for the maintenance of the Brigade, and in this form a very handsome and sufficient income could be established. We believe we are interpreting the opinion of the citizens in stating that they would much prefer paying a small annual rate to the subscription system. In addition to the rating of the citizens the Insurance Companies should also contribute a fixed annual sum, to be settled by arrangement.

and which should bear some proportion to the risks they hold. But then arises the question, is the City Council to levy a 0 special rate, and not to exercise some control over its expenditure ? We think not. The City Council, if the Brigade is to be supported by the ratepayers, must retain some control, and that can he done without in any way interfering with the freedom of action of the Brigade. We, on a former occasion, suggested a plan which appears to us to present a solution of the difficulty—viz., that the officers of the Brigade, elected as now by the members, should be considered dp J'arto public officials, and subject to the City Council, in • ,t"he same way that Volunteer officers are

subject to the existing Government. By this arrangement the City Council could supervise the expenditure, and see that it has been applied to the proper purposes. Again, the Captain of the Brigade, vested with authority from the City Council, could exercise his discretion as to the pulling down of buildings, employing extra assistance, or taking other steps which might be necessary to extinguish or check the spread of a fire. Besides, the Brigade would enjoy a much better status than it now possesses ; its efficiency would not be constantly jeopardised by want of funds, and the public would in every way be better satisfied. We trust that some such arrangement will be arrived at; it is very unsatisfactory that the Brigade should be in its present position, and although we can understand an d sympathise with the feeling which prompts the members to maintain the complete independence of the Brigade, some concessions will be necessary to ensure a satisfactory arrangement with the City Council.