THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2030, 26 August 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1880.

Since the refusal of the ratepayers to endorse the very extensive schemes of water supply proposed, the Council seems to have lapsed into utter apathy upon the very important subject of increased facilities for fire prevention. It is true that an attempt was made to bore a well in Victoria street to tho second stratum, which can hardly be called a success. About £IOO of the ratepayers’money was spent, the result being nil. The Council have also increased the supply to the Cathedral square tank by connecting it with the artesian well belonging to the Tramway Company. But this latter is somewhat of a negative benefit, inasmuch as our sapient city fathers have not provided an extra quantity of storage room, so that the water simply goes out of the waste pipe into the side channels. Now Mr. Superintendent Harris has over and over again impressed on the Council in the strongest possible terms, the necessity for an increased water supply for fire prevention purposes. He has told them in so many words that without this the Brigade will be powerless to cope with a conflagration of any size. This being so, it does appear strange that no steps have been taken by the City Council —temporarily it may be—to supply this want until the time arrives when the extended schemes may he used. They tell tho ratepayers practically that as they would not allow the Council to carry out their pet hobby, they will do nothing at all. In ordinary cases of fire our present tanks are pumped out in about two hours. What then could the Brigade do supposing tho scene of the fire to be remote from the river ? They could do nothing, and the fire would almost entirely have its own way. Take the thickly populated district lying to the southward of the River Avon and extending to the belt. In all that area there is not a single tank or other means for tho extinction of fire except at the Gloucester street school, which is scarcely to bo considered. Some time back a movement was inaugurated to place a tank near the Eastern Hotel, and the inhabitants offered to contribute a share of tbo cost, but nothing was done. What is wanted is to put down more tanks in various parts of the city and suburbs. We have enjoyed a long immunity from fires of any consequence, but we have no right to expect a continuance of such a state of things. The City Council appear to think that because the Waimakariri scheme has been rejected that they are to sit idly down and do nothing. They must face the question sooner or later ef how to improve our means for coping with fires, and the sooner they recognise the necessity the bettor. Warning after warning has been given to them by tho chief fire officer, and yet no steps are taken. Wo trust that something will be done in the direction wo have indicated, and that without delay.