THE LATE FIRE.

Kumara Times, Issue 188, 11 May 1877, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE.

[TO rHB EDITOR.] Sir, —If you Would be kind enough to fellow me a small space, I would like to say a few words concerning the late fire. In the first place, I agree with your remarks in the leading article of ' the Sth instant, in re fires and fire brigades, but I must elaim your indulgence when, on behalf of a little, forgotten village, situated in a cul de sac, not many miles distant, I claim a share of the credit accorded to ex-members of the Hokitika and Greymouth Fire Brigades, for it was represented, and conspicuously so, by no less than seven I of its ex-members. I With reference to pulling down the j uninjured building, there was not the ; slightest necessity for doing so. The fire was under, and all that was necessary was to divest the walls and ceilings of lining and paper, and attend to the side next to the fire, with the supply of water tkat was then available, which could be done from the inside. The next charitable action that should be attended to at.fires .is the removal of half drunken maniacs who are a perfect nuisance, dangerous to themselves and every one about them, and who destroy more property than they save, as was evidenced on Monday night by one of them smashing with an axe a window away from the scene of the fire. Another let fly out of his hands a heavy axe which in its flight narrowly escaped striking a man on the head. Prevention is better than cure, is the opinion of your humble servant. One m the Smoke. P.S.—The wall of the private house nearest the fire would be more or less damaged but that would be all providing the lining and paper was cleared away.