FIRE BRIGADE DONATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3924, 21 September 1875, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE DONATIONS.

To the Editor, Sir,— Mr Fish, jun., is sorely distressed to mi rthat other people estimate the value of the D.V.F.B.’a services rather more highly than ho does, and show their approbation in a sub- : atantial way.' Mr K. S. Fish, jun., h aa 11V0 . i bably never heard that there is the sum of L2O 000 deposited in the Bank of England for I any person who will strictly confine himself to his own business, I have yet to know why, if portion* who hare had valuable property eared

fiorn fire chose to present a donation to the Fire Brigade who saved the property, Mr Fish should interfere. He delicately insinuates, moreover, that the Brigade disbands in order to divide the sums thus given amongst the members. Is Mr Fish such an incarnation of guileless innocence as to imagine that the members of the Brigade, if they were actuated solely by mercenary motives, would disband at all? Why should the? not divide without disbanding? Who is to prevent them from dividing the money amongst the working rnemb«ri and remaining a Brigade in order to get more? The insinuation refutes itself. It was Mr Fish and his sneers that stung the Brigade into resigning ; and if Mr Fish thinks that he can get such services as theirs—so prompt, so vigorous, so hearty -merely for money, ho shows that he has as little knowledge of human nature now as he had when he though the working men would support a club where they could not get a glass of beer if they wanted it, I write this unofficially, although I am honorary surgeon to the Brigade. I can therefore speak freely, and I think it is greatly to be regretted that the City (!ouncil did not show & better appreciation of the Brigade's services. —I am, &c, K. H. Bakewell. M.D.. Honorary Surgeon D.V.F.B. Dunedin, September 21.

P.S. —It should be distinctly understood that none of the members of the Brigade have any knowledge of the above letter, or are in any way responsible for it.