The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 774, 24 March 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1879.

I The recognition and appreciation of voluntary services are as a rule seldom taken into consideration by the public, but when those services are the duties of some well-paid official, the flattering testimonial, heavy purse of: sovereigns, or sumptuous banquet is generally bestowed as a mark of the high estimation in which the recipient is held, for simply doing his duty. The Kumara Volunteer Fire Brigade affords a striking illustration of a case in which voluntary services are passed unrecognised, as composed of men whose services are gratuitously given, whose duties are dangerous in the extreme, whose object is one deserving the highest commendation, and whose exertions have on several occasions been the means of preventing the ravages of the fiery element in this town ; thenreward has assumed the form, not of a golden presentation or illuminated address, but the infinitely more unpleasant shape of—" the man in possession." Dealing, however, with the plain facts of the case, without indulging in theories, we find that the engines and appliances of our local Fire Brigade have been legally seized for distress of rent due on the building used by the Brigade as an eugine-house. The question naturally arise*, Why have the Brigade fallen into arrear'a necessitating this step on the "part of their creditors? Simply because the funds subscribed by the public are insufficient to meet the small current expenditure, and also the fact that the" 'various insurances companies, after repeated promises of pecuniary assistance, virtually cripple their support by the tardy manner in which it is rendered. The consideration of the necessary measures to be adopted under the existing circumstances is a matter that affects not only the Brigade as a body, but the public generally, for we have not the slightest hesitation in asserting that it is absolutely neoessary for the safety of the town that the services of this valuable body of men should be retained.

In view of the special meeting this evening, we would suggest that if matters are not satisfactorily arranged by which their property is freed from the grasp of the law, they should, r.hrough his Worship the Mayor, convene a meeting of the ratepayers, when the whole question of ways and means could be discussed, and we doubt not with beneficial rasults to the Brigade and the inhabitants of the town.

getically on the occasion. The whole of the furniture and books of the Bank were destroyed, with the exception af those in the safe. The insurance on the building is not at present known. Mr Badger is a very heavy loser, as he. permitted his insurance policy to expire only a short time ago,, and the stock saved from his premises is, we learn, but a small proportion of the whole. The origin of the fire is at present a mystery.. The firing of the Second Set for district prizes terminated on Saturday evening last, Private Brennan, of Kumara, winning the first prize (£3), with the splendid score of 71; Hosie, of Greymouth, with G 4, taking second prize (£2); Sampson, Kumara, 59, third (£1); and Hamilton, Greymouth, 59, the fourth (14s). There were a large number of competitors, but we have not yet received the full scores. The late fire ab Christchurch must have been a most disastrous one for the Volunteers, as the drill shed burned was estimated to have cost £3OO and the property it. contained amounted to nearly £SOO. In the Engineers room there were ten bell tents complete, with' all the requisite fittings, stowed away on shelves ; and there wore 20 stand of arms (Lancaster rifles), spades, buckets, and the usual engineering paraphernalia, The other rooms contained arms, most of the available ammunition, and, in the case of the City Guards at least, some of the newer uniforms, None of the property was insured. Mr W. Wiliavat having sold his plans and interest in the; Dyeing Business to Mr R. Ufjohn (who has become practically acquainted with the trade), begs to solicit the kind patronage hitherto afforded him to his successor.—Mrs Upjohn announces that she is prepared to clean and dye hatsj' feathers, gloves, &c, in the best style. N.B.—Gentlemen's clothes; cleaned, dyed, pressed, and repaired oh the premises.—Advt.