CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2566, 12 April 1923, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To The Editor.) Sir.—Allow me to point out what appears to lie a grave lack of duty b\ flic Fire Brigrnde during the fire in Avenue Road. There were only two firemen present, one of whom lives next door to the scene of the lire, the other about half-way between the fire station and the fire. Neither the bell nor siren were sounded, although one of these men is said to have obtained a hose from the station and proceeded alone to the fire. It is passing strange that the brigade was not called out and certainly needs 'explanation. The lire in question was within the borough and the water laid almost to the house. The public will lose confidence in the brigade if such actions pass unnoticed. —Yours etc. RESIDENT. Sir, —Please allow me space in which to make myself clear in regard to the last meeting of the Council when the subject of unregistered plumbers was under discussion. My attitude was that men who are just as capable as registered plumbers, should be allowed to connect water services as I fail to see why the Council should make a i lose corporation of any trade. As T said at the meeting the whole question was a personal affair as the continual mention of the name of one person clearly proved, so to do justice to those unregistered piumbers I moved the following motion to add to clause 196: “Except when the person is unregistered the Council may grant a permit providing the applicant proves himself a capable person. He shall also deposit a bond to provide against damage, with the Council." The Mayor refused to accept this motion on the ground of some procedure yet he immediately moved a motion that the borough water inspector he empowered to connect up any properties with wafer. I voted against this on principle as he refused to accept my motion. Yet he put his own, so that although T made provision for the unregistered man, which was refused, five Mayor’s motion empowers the work to he done by an unregistered man, viz. the water inspector. As to any work I did on my property, I merely laid on an emergency branch which has never been used, pending final arrangements. As to Mr J. MeColl’s remarks they are untrue as T never onee asked him for an inch of pipe and no doubt the fact of not buying any pipe I required off him roused bis ire. The rest of bis remarks 1 can treat also with contempt. If elected I will do my best as in the past and if defeated it will be the will of the electors, not of any disgruntled individual. Thanking you sir, for your space, E. G. MARTIN.