The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2604, 22 June 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1871.

Wk have no objection to the Corporation standing upon its dignity and

resenting intimidation; for, as Mr Walter truly said yesterday, they were elected by the ratepayers for carrying out certain duties. The question is whether those duties arc really fulfilled. We think that there are some of great importance that are blindly ignored. From what cause we cannot tell, one of the most onerous that a Corporation has to fulfil —efficient arrangements for prompt and well-directed measures for extinguish- j ing fires—is not amongst the recognised list of duties of the Dunedin Corporation. We need only refer them to the events connected with the late fire as compared with what should have been done in accordance with the clear dictates of common sense, as detailed in the letter of Mr Hughes, published on Tuesday, to show that the subject is worthy of far more consideration than it seems likely to receive at the hands of the authorities. The most calm courage and the readiest presence of mind are baffled when danger has to bo confronted, without some previous knowledge of the best means of grappling with it: and, accordingly, whenever a fire takes place, men are to be found who, with the best intentions in the world, induce its spread in their efforts to check its progress. Take for instance the late fire in Princess street. There can be no doubt that the first duty of the police is to save life, and to that end all property is of secondary importance ; but that secured, the next is to adopt the surest and best means for extinguishing the fire. In order to this, if it were possible to confine it to one room until the arrival of efficient appliances, in general little damage would result. But because of this not being generally known, even the police conceive it to be their first duty to burst open doors or get access to the seat of the fire, with no other weapons to check it than their hands, and no other sense to gratify than their eyes. This is to feed the fire by supplying air. We know it is very difficult to lay down any rule as to what is to be done on so sudden an emergency. To take the best steps on the spur of the moment requires training and knowledge ; it is not the result of intuition. A man ignorant of natural laws may accidentally do right, but there are so many ways in which he may do wrong, and only one right way, that the chances are a hundred to one against him. It is just possible that a bucket or two of water applied at once would extinguish fire that, if left for a minute unchecked, would involve the destruction of a block of buildings. But the chances are, that when the alarm is given, the enemy is already too firmly lodged to be dealt with so summarily. When, therefore, the vast interests involved in this questson, the contingencies that require or justify variety of action, and the clear judgment necessary to determining upon the proper course are considered, the necessity for auxiliary organisation to the Fire Brigade should be sufficiently apparent. We believe this assistant force could be very readily secured were the Corporation sufficiently alive to its necessity. The citizens of Dunedin have never shewn themselves backward in associating themselves together for the common good ; and were they invited to work with the Corporation to form a well-organised corps with pro-perly-defined duties, in aid of the Fire Brigade, we should be much surprised if they do not readily and cheerfully respond to the call. Perhaps a clue may be found to the apathy with which the subject is viewed, for the idea originated from without the Civic Parliament. But however wholesome may be the determination to resist pressure from without when the subject is whether a fee shall be charged for entering a public reserve, it is a different matter when subjects of grave necessity are concerned. Experience at the last two fires proves that some plan is necessary for securing order and room for the free efforts of the Fire Brigade. We suggest an organised body of special constables. If the Corporation see a better way, let them adopt it. An experienced member of the Fire Brigade not only coincides in that view, but has pointed out the advantage of an addition to their members of men instructed in their duties, whose trained services can be made available whenever assistance is required. It is plain that something in this direction is needed—and to whom arc the citizens to look if not to their Corporation 'I We again press it upon their attention as one of the subjects in which each member of it is not only officially but individually and socially interested.