The Feilding Star SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1888. Fire

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 109, 14 April 1888, Page 2

The Feilding Star SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1888. Fire

' Otxa readers are already aware that His Worship the Mayor has called a meeting of burgesses and householders, to be held in the Foresters' Hall on Wednesday next, for the purpose of devising some practicable means of preventing fires in private or public buildings. The urgent necessity which -exists for such a course must be patent to everyone who has witnessed the disastrous conflagrations, with the consequent loss of valuable property, which have taken place in Feilding d urine the past few years. At this time it would be out of place for us to express any opinion as to the origin of these fires. Our business now is to assist, as far as in our power lies, those in whose hands will be placed the privilege oi taking the iaifcial steps towards organising a plan which will either prevent the recurrence of fires altogether, or be a means of reducing their possibility to a minimum. We now urge upon everyone who is in the slightest way interested, either directly or indirectly, whether as a property owner or as a tenant, to be present at the meeting, and there take an active and intelligent part in the proceedings. Let them go with the firm intention of giving manful assistance in furthering the movement, and, i when once the thing is fairly started, ! to loyally support it, even if somewhat against the grain of their private feelings. Without cordial unanimity failure is certain to follow. Self-in-terest is a great governing power, and in our present circumstances it ought to be powerfully excited for the following most cogent reason : the Insurance Companies have all suffered heavy losses by the fires which have, unhappily, been so numerous all over the colony during " the depression." As a natural consequence the Directors of these companies have been forced, in strict justice to their shareholders, to enlarge the premiums charged on policies of insurance. Hitherto we in Feilding have partially

escaped that infliction, but now, when our record has become so bad, we have no right to expect that rule to obtain any longer ; therefore a rise in premiums may be made at any moment. It is to avert that misfortune by showing we are, one and all, determined to take a bold part in stopping fires that the meeting has been called. If its results show that we are not only able but willing to do our best to divide the risk with the insurance companies, much will hare been done Jco wards removing the bad impression recent events must have left.