FIRES, AND THEIR PREVENTION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 882, 2 December 1870, Page 3

FIRES, AND THEIR PREVENTION.

(USHER'S COj\IMERCIA.L CIRCULAR.) Since our last Circular we have received particulars of the destruction of two-thirds of the town of Lyttelton by fire. The news of this frightful calamity should convey a serious warning to the inhabitants of Napier, and hasten us to provi !e some means of guard* ing our property from wholesale destruction—a destruction that may come upon U 9 any night through accident or carelessness. A few months ago, this subject was brough prominently before the public, and .caused some little attention at the time, but through that bane to all public good—diversity of opinion on minor points—-has apparently been allowed to drop. A scheme, haying for its object the salvation of a town from fire, should be comprehensive and complete, and undoubtedly the best proposition yet brought before the notice of the Napier public was that of a reservoir on the hill at the back of the main part of the town, to be supplied from artesian wells to be suuk in the town. The only possible objection to this was the expense, which, however, was shown to be nothing compared to the immense benefits that would be derived from having the means of almost immediately, on the alarm given, .extinguishing a tire. There are many shopkeepers in 'Hastings street and on the •Shakespeare road, wljose houses and property are not insured for one-third of their value, and this is not because the .owners ure unwilling to iusure and to pay high rates of premium, but simply that the Insurance companies will "not undertake the risk of insuring against loss by #re a collection of wooden houses, old, and as dry as tinder, in a town without water, engine, or an organised body of men drilled to act as a .Fire Brigade, so as to work together with coolness and pluck in the event of a fire breaking out. As often as an extensive conflagration occurs., Napier is partly roused from its lethargy—-a meeting or two is held, one or two letters, or an article appear in the local journals—and then the subject is forgotten. Some night when the town is awakened by the cry of fire, and the morning dawns upon smoking ruins, this subject of water supply, fire brigades, and engine, will present itself to us in such vivid light that possibly it will not be forgotten until some energetic measures are taken to provide this town with the .means of preventing the whole of the retail shops, with the Post Office and JSanks, from being swept away as com pletely as fire can do the work. It is not our duty to do more than to point out the dangers by which our traders are threatened, but we gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity of offering our services in any way that may be deemed useful for the formation of a Fire Brigade, which we consider the first step in tbe right direction and which is absolutely needful.

The subject treated of in the foregoing article reminds us of an idea that has been suggested to us, viz.—the great good that might be derived by the estab?lishineut of a Society in Napier for the periodical consideration and discussion of any scheme or schemes for the improvement and general benefit of the community. Such a Society might, we think, be established without any, or, if auy, a very trifling expense consequent upon its meetings, and inigbt be made to answer the purposes of a Chamber of Commerce as well as that of a Provincial Improvement Society. With this view we would suggest that the mercbauts and tradesmen of Napier should unite in forming a Society with some such title as " The Napier Chamber of Commerce, and Jfewfce's Pay Improvement Society," to

meet once a *month for the purposes of discussing and considering all matters affecting the commercial interests, as well as any other subjects that might suggest themselves for the general advancement of this Province. • It i 3 thought that some suitable place at which such meetings could be held may be fouud free of eost, in which case there will be no necessity for any certain subscription (although matters might be occasionally suggested, the carrying out of which might require some pecuniary support), and should the Society fail in obtaining a gratuitous place of meeting, a very small subscription for each member should pay the rent of a suitable room. We would further suggest that such Society should place themselves in coinrounicarion with the Provincial and General Governments, and from time to time, as occasion may require, endeavor to gaiu the co-operation of either of such Governments (as may be. needed in each instance) in carrying out any scheme that may be approved by the Society for the general advancement, security, or welfare of the community. The original promoter of this scheme is so fully convinced of the general benefits to be derived from the operations of such a Society as that suggested, that he is perfectly wilting to render gratuitously such assistance as may be in his power in organizing and establishing such an instiif a sufficient number of persons will send their names to the proprietor of this Circular, as approviug the idea, and expressing their willingness to join the Society, if established on a basis of sound principles. One of the first,subjects for the serious consideration of its members would be a speedy and eificieut means of security against loss by fire. Again, we think that the establishment of such a Society would teud to eucourage a liberal feeling and more enlarged views, and we therefore heartily desire its establishment.