The Hawke's Bay Times, Published every Monday and Thursday. MONDAY, 10th SEPTEMBER, 1866.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 410, 10 September 1866, Page 2

The Hawke's Bay Times, Published every Monday and Thursday.

MONDAY, 10th SEPTEMBER, 1866.

“MULLIUS ADDICXCB JUEARB IN VESBA IIAGISTRI.”

A coekespondenx, in our issue of Thursday last, called attention to the unprotected state of the Eastern Spit as regards its provision of appliances for meeting the very possible contingency of fire ; in that there is neither means of raising an alarm by a firebell, nor any engine or apparatus for checking or extinguishing a fire should one unfortunately occur. We do trust that the subject will not be permitted to slumber, but that the agents of insurance companies whose offices are situated in this neighborhood,— the merchants whose stores and extensive premises occupy so large a portion of the ground,—and the owners of property generally will feel it to ha their interest and advantage to get something done in the matter. No doubt the Provincial Government would supplement their exertions with a grunt in aidjof an object so desirable, and

also set apart a portion of the weigh-bridge reserve as the site for an engine-house. It probably would even go so far as to erect the building necessary for locating the engine and other apparatus there. The increase of the number of buildings on the Eastern Spit is, and has been of late, astonishingly rapid, and will no doubt continue to increase as long as there is a vacant spot remaining for their erection. Merchants and business men find it to be so much to their advantage to reside contiguous to the port so as to be at hand at all times; and the inconvenience the large class of young men employed by them are subjected to iu their daily journeys from and to the town, renders it a necessity that the population and houses in this locality must so increase, With each increase in the number of buildings, the danger of fire increases likewise ; as also does the danger of its spreading, and the estimate of probable damage in its more crowded state. Napier has been singularly free from fire —perhaps more so than any other town in New Zealand ; but it by no means follows that that is an immunity to be always enjoyed. Our exchanges constantly inform us of fires occurring iu the neighboring towns and cities, particularly iu that of Auckland, which has of late suffered to a most astonish ing extent; and Napier folk must not expect to be always free. On the evening of the day on which our correspondent directed attention to this matter there was an alarm of fire in the town, which, being promptly discovered, was extinguished before any damage was done. Had this not been the case, there is reason to fear that the whole of a crowded block of buildings woum have fallen a sacrifice to the devouring element. And the Spit is equally liable to danger with any other place. Hence th e necessity of being prepared to meet with promtitude and energy any such outbreak; and especially to be provided with suitable appliances for staying its progress if it should occur.