THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1882. THE COST OF FIRE PREVENTION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2677, 4 November 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1882. THE COST OF FIRE PREVENTION.

The figures quoted by Mr. Superintendent Harris last night, on the occasion of the trial of the electrical fire alarms, as to the contribution respectively from the rates and the Insurance Companies, must causa some surprise in the public mind. It appears from the statement, and there is no reason whatever to doubt the accuracy of it, that the total contribution of the Insurance Companies for fifteen years has been £3763 18s Bd, as against a grand total of £6194 3s lOd, the public and the Government finding the difference. It will thus be seen that the companies havo

given one-half the whole amonnt, which cannot but be regarded as generous on their part. But we are once more told—and we desire again strongly to call the attention of Mr. Clarkeon and his friends to this—that we must not lo< k for much generosity in tha future. A very large number of persons iu the city are uninsured, and from these, though contributing towards the presorvatiun of their property, the companies do not receive one shilling. This, added to the fact that large reductions in the rata of premiums have taken place, will, we are told, considerably curtail the sum likely to bo contributed in the future by theInsurance Companies. This second warning should, we think, stir up our citizens to reflect very seriously on the subject of a water supply. I£ the whole< cost of firo prevention—which will increase as the city grows—ia thrown on the rates, those who grumbled so loudly about the chance of paying a mereI nominal rate for a water scheme, may find that they will be forced to pay a special fire prevention rato. At the risk of reiteration in this matter wa do a?.k the ratepayers to consider very seriously this {subject as one of the greatest importance. Not only is it likely, unless stops aro taken to procuro a water eupply, that our rates will be increased without & corresponding inci ease in efficiency ; but there is another very serious matter with regard to the sanitary condition of the city. The condition of a large proportion of the side channels in Christchurch is simply disgraceful, an*d*feot only that, but dangerous to the public health. This arisas from the fact that there is no flushing power to keepthem clean, that supplied by the water carts being utterly useless. We cannot but think that if the statements mado last night are carefully considered by the public, they will come to the same conclusion as ourselves, tJz., that thetime has come when, in the interests of the city, a water supply is absolutely necessary. It is to be hoped that some members of the City Council will agita'o in that body, so that steps may be taken,, either by offering a premium for the bast scheme, or iu some other way to once more attempt, even if against their will, to give te the public of Ckristchurch the inestimable boon of an efficient water supply