Feilding Fire Brigade

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 102, 25 February 1892, Page 2

Feilding Fire Brigade

The above Brigade are doing good work, and, it may be said, entirely unassisted by the outside public. The engine-shed and room are now in course of being lined, floored, and made otherwise convenient for the use of the Brigade, at the sole expense of the members. We think that every householder, and resident in the immediate neighborhood of Manchester Square, should feel a certain emotion of shame that these young men who plaoe their services gratuitously at the disposal of everyone, without distinction, whose property is either on fire or in danger of being ignited by fire in adjacent buildings, should be put to actual personal expense in this way. The loss of time in practice is an item in itself, and as it takes a considerable period and much hard drill to make an expert fireman, the self-sacrifice involved is very great, and, therefore, ought to be considered. Members of Fire Brigades deserve the utmost praise for the self-denial they show in giving up many opportunities ot amusement or relaxation in order that they may, by frequent practice, qualify themselves to execute those onerous and dangerous duties they have voluntarily rendered themselves liable to be called upon to perform at any moment. It is unfair that these men should also be expected to have the additional burden to bear of financial worry. We understand that they have a liability of about £120 still outstanding for the purchase of the engine. It is true that the Borough Council have already largely assisted the Brigade financially,] but seeing the good work they have done j in the salvation of property, and the incalculable good they may do in the future if judiciously encouraged, we think the i Council should still further assist the Brigade by helping them to pay off the debt on the engine. A series of concerts or other entertainments might also be inaugurated by our energetic citizens, the proceeds from which, supplementing the anticipated grant from the Council, would doubtless put the Brigade on a sound financial footing. We may add that the members of the Fire Brigade pay for their own uniforms, and, unlike volunteer corps, they receive no Government subsidy.