FIRE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 451, 13 September 1866, Page 3

FIRE.

[From the Hawke’s Bay Times, 10th September.] A correspondent, 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 whoso 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 aud advantage to get something dona ia the matter. No doubt the Provincial Government would supplement their exertions with a grant in aid of an object so desirable, and also set apart a portion of the weigh bridge reserve as the site for an engine-house, It prebahly would oven -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, aud 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 aud 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 in 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 imraunity to be always enjoyed. Our exchanges constantly inform us of fires occurring in the neighboring towns and cities, particularly in that of Auckland, which, has of late sufiered to a most astonishing 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 would have fallen a sacrifice to the devouring element. And the Spit is equally liable to danger with any other place. Hence the 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.