AN URGENT WANT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 7, 24 September 1880, Page 2

AN URGENT WANT.

The lira of Wednesday evening last, although a loss to Mr Gray, will prove of benefit to the town if it arouses the inhabitants to a sense of the great danger they are subject to from this terrible enemy, and causes them to take such measures as would enable them to successfully cope with such an overpowering and relentless foe. By a providential circumstance the wind at the time of the five was very light, and blew in a direction which took all danger away. But had the wind been from an easterly quarter (and it is a wellknown fact the wind blows for weeks at a time from that quarter), no power available at Foxton at the present time could have saved Mr Gray's valuable premises. And to follow the supposition — admitting Mr Gray's lofty building had been on fire, the chances are the Telegraph Office and other Government buildings would have been consumed. Through the wind blowing from the north, no. doubt a large amount of valuable, property has been saved. At the present time there is not a single means of overcoming a fire in the place, and should a fire once get a good hold in any of the large buildings heavy loss would be the result. We therefore urge the business men of the place to earnestly take the matter in hand, and endeavour to organise some means of protection against fire. The matter is one in which every property owner is interested, as no one knows who the next victim of the "fire demon" may be. The Insurance Agents might also be expected to assist, and the Government also would no doubt help in the matter.

The first thing required is the erection of a firebell. Mr Coley referred to this matter at the last meeting of the Local Board, and we trust that body will not rest until a bell is hung in some favorable place in the town. Mr J. VV. Liddell, during his term of office as Chairman of the Local Board, purchased a bell from Mr Mil's, and since his retirement the bell has been quietly reposing under one of the benches in his warehouse. The expense of erecting a temporary; frame whereon to hang tljie bell — say on tho Government land near the goods shed, or in front of the Custom House, would not be great, and it could be easily attended to by the watchman at njght. If this matter is taken vigorously in hand, we feel sure that in a couple of hours enough money could

be raised to cany out the above sug* gestion. We also consider the time has jMTived when the establishment of a Fire Brigade is au urgent necessity. At a time of fire, people are apt to become very excited, lud work well, but often their efforts are so misapplied that great loss ensues simply for want of organisation and command. In all the large towns Fire Brigades have proved of immense service, and saved an incalculable amount of property. A hand engine, similar to those, used in the early days at Wellington, would be the principal p'ant required, and with the addition of a few lengths of hose to reach the river and a dozen trained men undeifa good commanHerra^ire Brigade could easily be raised b.ere.) We hope the matter will not be allowed to drop... " Forewarned isibrearnied," and it will be a source of relief to know that should a fire break out there will exist an, organisation able to grapple with it. " , : V