The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1887. A Salvage Corps

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 80, 11 January 1887, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1887. A Salvage Corps

The heavy losses by fire which have befallen the business people of Feilding within the last few months, have directed the attention of several to the absolute necessity for the inception of an organisation whose object will be the salvage of goods and effects, and the limitation of the destructive element to the smallest possible area. The great expense of a regularly equipped fire brigade is beyond tlieir means, so the idea of a Salvage Corps is likely to be the most popular form in which the attempt will be made. The appliances needed are few and comparatively inexpensive. The chief want is a certain number of men banded together in proper discipline under officers, of their own selection, who are chosen for their peculiar fitness to carry out the duties of the position in which they are placed. That such can be found in plenty no one can doubt who witnessed the splendid way in which those individuals worked who were present at the fire in Manchester street, ou last Friday night. In order to give thorough stability to the movement we would suggest that every business man or householder within a certain radius from the centre of Manchester Square, become an active member. For example — take Manchester Square, Fergusson street, Kimbolton Road, Grey street, and Manchester street from Eyre street to the schoolhouse ; from forty to fifty men — all in the prime of life — business men and property owners, could be assembled at any given point in the above localities within ten minutes, at the outside, after an alarm of fire was sounded, if we add to these the young men who are employed in various capacities in the Borough, who would willingly join out of a desire to do good as well as for the excitement of the thing, a very powerful body would be formed. We are m a position to state that the officers and members of the Manchester Rifle Volunteers would gladly place their services at the disposal of the officer in charge of a Salvage Corps, to act either as Fire Police, or in any other capacity where their disciplined services would be most useful. As to who are capable of taking positions of command if a Salvage Corps be formed, that will easily be decided, for tke public, as well as our ourselves, noticed two gentlemen exhibiting peculiar ability for the position at the recent fire, who, if they could be induced to undertake them, the duties, we feel assured, would be performed to the advantage as well as the satisfaction of all concerned. We understand a meeting will be held at an early date, when we hope the question will be finally and successfully settled.