THE CAVERSHAM FIRE.

Evening Star, Issue 4085, 30 March 1876, Page 3

THE CAVERSHAM FIRE.

To the Editor.

Sir, —On reading the report in the ‘Times’ this morning of the fire at Caversham I can hardly say I was surprised, though a little annoyed, at the concluding remarks on the Fire Brigade. The writer of the report in question might, with very little difficulty, have learned the truth of the matter, and, without flattering the Brigade, have given a truthful report. There is no doubt the Brigade, were a comparatively long time getting to the scene of the fire. But after the alarm hud been sent all the way in from Caversham the officers considered it their duty to ask the sanction of the Mayor prior to running the gear away outside the municipality, ’and after harnessing horses it takes some time

to go to Cayersham on a dark night with an engine weighing a ton and a half, and twelve or fourteen men on it. No alarm having been given from the Tower, I think the Brigade ought to be congratulated on having got together twentyfive out of a possible thirty men, and having gone to assist at their own risk and I suppose their own expense; for it is hardly likely the Corporation will pay for services rendered outside the municipality. Considering the facta of the case, I tbinlr it would be well if your contemporary would try and encourage a newly formed body of men, instead of making such extremely disparaging remarks.—l am, &c., Dunedin, March 30. Hydrant.