THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4. 1882. ATTENDANCE AT SUBURBAN FIRES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2650, 4 October 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4. 1882. ATTENDANCE AT SUBURBAN FIRES.

At the last meeting of the City Connell a very important question was raised by Councillor “Vincent in connection with the working of the Fire Brigade. We allude to the subject of the attendance by the brigade at fires outside the city proper. It will be noticed by a glance at the map that the city is as it were environed by municipalities and local bodies. On the north we have St. Albans, on the south Sydenham, and on the east the newly formed town district of Woolston, and the locality of Philipstown which will shortly also be one. Now the statistics of fires in Christchurch will show that a very large proportion of those attended are beyond the city, and that the brigade and plant are used for the protection of life and property in those localities, which do not contribute one sixpence towards the cost. Whilst giving Councillors Thomson and Louisson every credit for their philanthrophy, we cannot but see that it is a very important question to the ratepayers of the city whether or not they are to take the sole responsibility and cost of providing for fire prevention throughout the whole district. As the Mayor very truly said, the plant is a very valuable one, rendered still more so by the addition of the"chemical fire engine ; and the wear and tear of taking that several miles to a fire, together with the injury to the horses, cannot but bo a serious item. The time might have been, prior to the suburbs forming themselves into self-governing districts, when Christchurch might be regarded as a sort of parent to all, and bound in some sort to afford such assistance as might be needed. But that time is past, and wo are most decidedly of opinion that it is only fair that the suburban councils and local bodies should, if they avail themselves of our brigade and plant, contribute in some way towards its cost. It would bo very easy to arrange an annual payment until the districts formed brigades of their own, or until they, together with the Christchurch ratepayers, recover their senses and support a well considered water supply edema. Let us taka the case of Sydenham for instance. The model borough has very complacent’y allowed Christchurch to pay for its fire brigade by practically doing nothing towards the establishment of a local one. Yet if a water supply were agreed to, the formation of such a brigade, and the provision for fire prevention in the borough, would not only be easy but practically inexpensive. It is true it would not be so cheap, as they are gating their work dona now by the city; but it must be remembered that such a state of things cannot be expected to last. The time will come—nay, we are not euro that it has not already—when the ratepayers of Christchurch will decline to keep up an expensive plant and give the services of their brigade for nothing. It will, therefore, be well for the suburban bodies, more particularly the Councils of St. Albans and Sydenham, to consider the advisableness either of establishing brigades'of their own, or arranging to pay a small share of the annual cost of our brigade. We trust that the Fire Brigade Committee will not lose sight of this matter, because it is, as we have painted out, rather a serious one to the citizens, inasmuch as attendance at suburban fires means a very large increase of wear and tear to tho plant and inconvenience to the brigade.

THE WAIL OF THE DISAPPOINTED ONE. A correspondent in the “ Lyttelton Times” of this morning, who appropriately signs himself “ Piscator,” makes such misleading and nntrnthfnl statements regarding the Mayoralty that what otherwise would deserve only silent contempt demands refntation. This gentleman, who writes with such a semblance of disappointed hopes as to induce the belief that it is one of the intending candidates for tho chair, tells the public that the requisition to his Worship the Mayor is the mere outcome of personal spite towards certain citizens, whoever they may be. These certain citizens it appears stand well with the ratepayers, and were desirous of coming forward as candidates for the Mayoralty. Now let us at once say that our friend “ Piscator” does not adhere to the truth. It is not a notorious fact that the gentlemen who interested themselves in obtaining the consent of Mr. Ruddenklau to bo nominated a second time did so ont of spite, or to prevent “ certain citizens” from coming forward. They did so in the best interests of the ratepayers, because after careful consideration they came to the conclusion that though taxing him somewhat unfairly, Mr. Ruddenklau was by far tho best man that could be got. Tho only other candidate known to be in the field was Councillor Ayers, who doubtless does feel a little bit sore, but still he must console himself with the fact that a good man has been secured for the city, and bide his time. If, however, Councillor Ayers, to put it in tho words of his friend “ Piscator,” who evidently deeply sympathises with him, “ feels wronged by this second term dodge,” let him by all means come out and contest the seat. He will find then whether or not ths prognostications of

his somewhat indiscreet supporter will he veil ed. We but express surprise that sue petty motives as personal p'qne or splesn should be attributed to a body of fi! nt ™ 3n ’ Sach 88 ttoße waiting on the Mayor, possessing, as they do, in such an eminent degree, the respect and esteem of the citizens. To use the words of our friend, it ia a notorious fact that it was only and solely “ , 6 . interests of the city that his Worship consented to forego his own convenience to serve the city for another year. As we have before said, such accusations as are made ia the letter referred to could only emanate from the disappointed ambition of a candidate for the office. If, however, he can screw his courage to the sticking place and come oat for the fight, we venture to say that he will receive a wholesome, if somewhat unpalatable, lesson.

THE NEW MINISTER. If there be any truth in the report, current some little time back, that Mr.E. G. Wright will shortly join the Governmrnt as Minister for Public Works, one good result, apart from his practical knowledge, will ensue. Mr. Wright has on more than one occasion stated his opinion, very clearly, that there should be a Board to whom all complaints regarding the working of the railways should bo referred. If we are to believe all we hear, there is every reason why such a step should be taken without delay. Making every allowance for exaggeration, there is certainly enough evidence to show that the officials in charge of the Addington workshops are prone to carry things with far too high & hand altogether. The statements made on the subject are such as should at once receive attention at the hands of the Government ; and should Mr. Wright taka the post spoken of, there is no doubt that, at an early date, ho would take steps to carry out his idea. Such a Board would bo alike a protection to the men employed and to the public, because there would be an end put to the perpetual ferment which prevails at present at Addington—a state of things most prejudicial to the public service.