The Globe. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1040, 25 October 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1877.

Yesterday's celebration in Lyttelton, whilst affording cause for rejoicing that so great a step in the direction of fire-prevention has been taken, yet suggests to us here that Christchurch can be improved in this direction. It is true that in the centre of the city and those parts adjacent to the river, the steamers are enabled to cope with a fire successfully. But let one occur in the blocks which are both remote from the river and have no tanks, and the result is, that the Brigade is practically useless for want of sufficient water. On former occasions we have urged the necessity which exists for providing these portions of the city with the means of fire-extinction. They are rapidly growing in population, and, of course, the probability of fire and the damage resulting therefrom are proportionately increased. But with the increased danger no steps have been taken to provide means to avert it. Practically so far as a portion of our city is concerned, the very effective Brigade we have is rendered almost useless. To the parts we are alluding to, their services are unable to be utilised. It, therefore, becomes the duty of the City Council seriously to consider this matter with a view _ to remedying the state of things which now exists. It is not sufficient that we should alone take care that the centre of the city is amply provided with the means of extinguishing fire. Of course it is quite rightseeing the large amount of rates contributed, and the great value of property there—that the centre should receive due attention. But this having been done it sinVy is time that less ravored portions should now also be ■ared for. The cost of doing what is necessary is but small, and the advantages to be gained so great that we are

at a loss to know why it ha%&ot been done long ere this. By siinpTy*placing fire tanks at various parts of the city, which from their situations are inaccessible to water from the river, we ensure at least a safeguard against the ravages of fire. "With a supply of water such as these would give them the Brigade would be able to cope with a iire at its earliest stage, and thus prevent any spread. At present all they can do is to endeavor to cut off the spread of the fire by pulling down fences, &c. In nine cases out of ten there is little or no water procurable, and the building in which the fire originates, and more than probable any one contiguous to it, are doomed to destruction. We are wont to pride ourselves —and very justly too—upon the efficiency of our Brigade, but it seems to us the height of folly, when we possess so able a body of men and so complete a plant, to shut our eyes to the fact that, by our omission, we are crippling that efficiency most wofully. We hope that the new Council will take the matter seriously in hand, and that before long we shall be able to record the fact that all parts of the city are protected, so far as human foresight can do so, from the ravages of fire.