THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1912, 10 April 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1880.

In view of tho near approach of tho winter season, it is to he hoped that tho City Council will not relax thoir efforts to induce tho Drainage Board to make compensation for tho damage done to tho streets by works. Wo have said “induco” because it appears that they have no power to compel, although, in many instances, tho ratepayers have had to disburse largely to put tho streets

in repair. The City Surveyor, after a careful consideration of the matter, has estimated the contribution fairly due by the Drainage Board at £1 10s per chain; but this is disputed, and so the matter rests. The City Council have no funds at their disposal to do the work, and the result will be that in many places our streets, during the winter season, are likely to be perfect quagmires. Unless the Council taka some determined stand, this must be the outcome |of the matter, and, therefore, we hope on Monday next to find that they have made their minds up to try their power to compel the Board to do what seems to us a simple act of justice.

We aro glad to notice that the Council have determined to use their power in connection with the tramway, and appoint an inspector to seo tho provisions of the Act strictly carried out with reference to tho proposed extensions. The citizens were put to inconvenience enough during tho formation of the present line and do not wish for a repetition, and as tho work will he carried up one of the main arteries of traffic between the city and the suburbs to the North, it is more than ever necessary that some supervision should bo exercised. By the appointment of such an official as is contemplated, the City Council will have tho moans of direct control over the contractor and the com pany, and no such breach of the provisions of the Tramway Act as occurred recently will be possible.

It must be pleasant living in a crowded woodeu city with the fire brigade on the strike. Tet this was the position of affairs with which the residents of Wellington were threatened by latest advices. The insurance companies have hitherto paid £SOO per annum to the two fire brigades in the city, the City Council also paying the same sum. Now, however, the insurance companies have refused to pay more than a-third of the total sum, saying that it is no part of their duty to guard the city against fire or to extinguish fires, but that they are commercial bodies whose sole duty lies in receiving premiums and paying for losses. And, moreover, they state that even with regard to tho third part of the subsidy, they will not pay it unless the two fire brigades are amalgamated and improved in efficiency. The City Council on learning this were considerably enraged, and passed a resolution refusing to pay anything towards the expenses of the brigades, unless the Insurance Companies contributed, at least, one-half. The matter then passed onto the brigades themselves, who, finding themselves pauperised, threatened to disband. And so the matter, as far as we are aware, at present rests. A fire brigade on the strike in a wooden town must be much the same to the people concerned as a mutinous crew in a long voyage. There must be the same feeling of helplessness among the sufferers in both inflictions, and the additional drawback in the former case that a heavy pecuniary loss is most likely to result. Of course the insurance companies can make out a case—it is hut seldom that some sort of a case cannot he drawn up. But it is strange that they have suddenly looked upon the matter in a new light, now that times aro so hard. No doubt they are right in demanding that the brigade service should be made as efficient as possible, and the Wellington City Council would most probably agree with them on that point. But as regards the subsidy and the relation of the companies to the general public, it is rather late in the day to draw hack. The obligations of insurance companies to the fire brigades are recognised all over New Zealand, for they most distinctly benefit by the exertions of the men who, at considerable personal risk, undertake to protect the lives and properties of citizens from danger. [Since the above was in print to-day’s telegram has been received, which shows that tho City Council have appointed a committee to negotiate in the matter, and have resolved to go on paying the brigades as usual until the committee had come to a decision. It is possible that the Insurance Companies may, in the meantime, see the position in a still newer light, and that things may he amicably settled.]