THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1691, 22 July 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1879.

It is in no small degree satisfactory that the little cloud which had arisen between those two useful bodies, the Fire Police and the Fire Brigade, has been dispelled. The three parties interested, viz., the Council, Brigade, and Fire Police, have met face to face to discuss the matter, and the result, it is to be hoped, will bo found satisfactory. Of the wisdom and absolute necessity of the position taken up by Mr. Superintendent Harris, there can be no doubt. In cases of fire there must be one controlling power, and one only, or the result will be anarchy, where order should prevail. To have three or four separate and independent authorities would simply mean that the men would bo confused by contrary orders. Hence all will coincide with the strong feeling of Mr Superintendent Harris that any amendment should provide for one responsible head. So far as could bo gathered from the discussion, which was entirely of a conversational character, the Fire Police desired to have given to them some legal status which they do not now possess. Formerly they were sworn in before a Justice of the Peace; but of late years this has boon discontinued, and the force has simply in reality been a voluntary association of citizens for the protection of their own property, and that of others, in case‘of fire. It is only right that persons who thus come forward to render aid and perform important duties, should have all the protection and recognition the constituted authorities can give

thorn. There was, therefore, but little discussion as to this point, tho members of tho conference being agreed. The real point at issue, which was for some time cautiously touched upon by all present, was, tho authority over members of the Fire Police to ho exorcised by others

than their own officers. At last, however, ono member of the Fire Police spoke out candidly, and then it became apparent that the change desired by the Fire Police was, that instead of being under tho orders of the Superintendent of tho Fire Brigade as such, they should do duty under tho Firo Inspector. This may seem a distinction without a difference, as tho two offices are now combined in one gentleman; but it was pointed out that this might not—and indeed probably would not —bo tho case when tho present occupant of tho two offices should retire. By law tho Superintendent of tho Fire Brigade cx officio has no power at a l ', whilst tho Fire Inspectors are, on tho contrary, clothed with very ample powers. In this tho Fire Police had a very strong case, and one decidedly entitled to consideration. It is, therefore, satifaetory that tho conference also adopted tho views of the Police, and passed a resolution which it is probable will meet tho difficulty in this respect. We doubt whether the addendum, that tho Police shall form part of tho Firo Brigade, will be found to work well. As pointed out at tho conference, their duties aro totally distinct, and, although they work together for one object, no largo amount of common interest can bo felt. However, this is a mere matter of detail, now that tho most important questions hare boon settled, and wo trust that, under tho new regime, matters will go on smoothly. To tho Fire Police, hardly less than to tho

Firo Brigade, are the citizens indebted. Since their organisation robberies at fires have been comparatively unknown, and the risk of damage to property by indiscriminate and unauthorised removal, the result of which is sometimes worse than that of the actual firo itself, has disappeared. Therefore anything that will tend to continue those services must bo regarded with interest by the public, and as the result of the conference alluded to is likely to affect this end, it must bo looked upon with satisfaction.

Ottr friends in tho North—in Auckland in particular —aro awakening to tho fact that it is well not to have all their eggs in one basket. It has occurred to them that they aro somewhat too slavishly following old country ideas in confining their attention so exclusively to growing wool, cereals, and root crops. It is, of course, natural that settlors in a now country should carry with them their oldworld ideas, and should he rather unwilling to launch out into now lines as long as tho old ones pay at all moderately. But in a district whore tho climate approaches, as it does in Auckland, to a semi-tropical character, tho wisdom of such a proceeding is more than doubtful. Wheat, it is true, flourishes there as luxuriantly as in tho colder parts of the colony, but oats and other products do not do as well. However, another fact must bo taken into consideration —tho products of tropical and semi-tropical climates aro, to speak broadly, more valuable than those of temperate or cold ones. The “ Now Zealand Herald ” points out that “ tobacco, sugar, cotton, and other vegetable products of the warmer parts of the earth’s surface, yield a far higher return per acre to tho agriculturist than wheat, oats, and potatoes can ever be expected to do; and, therefore, a country which can really combine tho productions of the temperate, and some of those of the torrid zone, may reasonably look for an unusual amount of prosperity.” It is evident that tho greater tho variety that exists in tho products raised in New Zealand, tho greater will bo her material wealth, and the less likely will she bo to become affected by fluctuations which of necessity occur in the current value of any single staple of commerce. Tho whole colony must be interested in any endeavors made in tho North to widen the field of agricultural operations.

A MOST desirable state of affairs exists in the Borough of Sydenham. This is shown clearly hy tho report of the Borough Council meeting held last evening. On Councillor Andrews moving “ that tho attention of tho Superintendent of Police he called to the fact that tho police staff at Sydenham was altogether inadequate to the requirements of so large a district, and that an addition to tho staff should at once ho made,” Councillor Charters gave it as his opinion “ that the motion was casting a kind of reflection on tho borough, which was looked upon as being one of tho most law-abiding localities in tho colony —in fact, was celebrated as such.” Councillor Joyce held similar views to tho last speaker, and, in deference to tho general view of the Council, Councilor Andrews modified his resolution into tho following, which was carried unanimously: “ That the Mayor and Councillor Andrew wait on Superintendent Brougham with reference to the location of tho constable appointed to the borough, and fixing certain hours of the day for tho contiaV may'’he" connected with ""the" same.” It is evident that the Council were of opinion that the one constable who has solo charge of police affairs in their borough is quite capable of doing all that is required of him. That such a large and rising community should ho so lawabiding is most satisfactory. Seeing that tho people of Sydenham are, as a body, distinguished for their zeal in tho cause of temperance, all those who fight under various appellations—it may ho with varying ideas as to details, but who fight together, nevertheless— for tho cause of temperance will gladly point to the facts alluded to at the Council meeting last night, as a proof of the soundness of their views.