MR FISH EXPLAINS.

Evening Star, Issue 3689, 19 July 1875, Page 3

MR FISH EXPLAINS.

To (he Editor .

SlB, —I was utterly astonished upon reading your issue of Saturday last to see in a small sub-leader referring to the intention of the Fire Brigade to resign, the following remarks with reference to myself:—“ We are not surprised at the course taken by the Fire Brigade and regret that the imprudent remarks of Councillor Fish should have led to their determination to resign,” and again, “ We ask if a future Fire Brigade has to be paid—and the City is not safe without one—what will Councillor Fish’s attempt at coercing the insurance companies cost ? It is a pity that Councillor’s long experience in public matters has not taught him when to speak and when to hold his tongue.” I say I was astonished, because I could not recollect anything which I had said that could possibly have induced the Brigade to act as they have. But, not thinking it possible you would have written in such a way without some grounds, I hastened to a file of the * Otago Guardian’ to discover if I had said anything which 1 had forgotten, and which would at all justify you in making the remarks you have. The Brigade, I observe, have thought fit to pass a resolution to resign in consequence of a resolution passed by the City Council on the 17th of last March to the effect “ That unless the Insurance Companies increased their annual contributions in aid ofjthelexpenses of the Brigade IoL3OO, they would discontinue supporting it.” Upon reference to the paper alluded to, of 18th March, I find this resolution was embodied in the Finance Committee’s report, and that it was adopted unmimously by the Council. The question cropped up again, I 'find, on the 7th July in connection with tlio fire at Mr Flexman’s, and I am reported by the ‘ Guardian ’ of the Bth to have said, “ Mr Fish deprecated the Corporation paying expenses that should be borne by the Insurance Companies, especially in the case of a fire occurring three or four miles outside of Dunedin.”

I leave it to yourself to say whether there is anything in the forgoing to, in the slightest degree, justify your remarks, and I cannot but think that you have been deceived. It is possible I may return to this subject again, and it is quite likely my views will be very much opposed to yours upon the whole question. In the meantime, however, it is sufficient for me to ask you to retract your remarks or justify them by facte,—l am, &c., H. S. Fish, Jdn. Dunedin, July 19.