The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1889. The Fire Brigade

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 143, 8 June 1889, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1889. The Fire Brigade

At the meeting of the Borough Council, reported in another column, an application was made by the officers of the Feilding Volunteer Fire Brigade for some monetary assistance to enable the Brigade to pay the first instalment for the fire engine which arrived from home in the Tainui. A deputation waited on the Council to support the application, when Captain Bray made a statement to the effect that the Brigade had to pay a sum of £90 at once, and their Treasurer had only £30 in hand- The Councillors were unanimous in expressing a desire to assist, and ou the motion of Councillor Lethbkidge a sum of £25 was granted, uuxtar clause 347 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, which gives authority to the Council to make such a gratuity. This grant, with the amount in hand, still leaves a deficiency of £35, to be provided for within the ntext few days. We understand an appeal will be made to the public of I^eilding and to the Insurance compa cues for assistance. That the former will cheerfully respond we have every confidence, but we are not so suie of the generosity of the latter being; excited, because their recent losses have hardened their hearts to all such solicitations. It is true the Feilding Brigade were, a few days ago, the means of saving some £5000 or £6000 worth of property for the companies, and when that is taken into consideration it is more than porsible some relaxation may be made in favor of the local Brigade. It is, however, our desire now to impress on those who> will be asked to assist not to limit the amount of their generosity in the belief that the inBurance companies may, by their liberality, make it unnecessary. That contingency is not liiely to happen. Fuuds will also have* to be raised to meet the expense of sinking a well in Manchester Square, and putting a substantial and safe cover on the same. Insurers must remember that every penny they now givo to the Fire Brigade will be recouped to them at some not far distant date, in the shap« of reduced premiums. We I congratulate the officers and men of the Brigade on the brilliant successes they have already achieved by their unassisted efforts, and hope that when they are aided and assisted by a firstclass fire engine, their victories over I their dread enemy will be even more decisive.