The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3,1883. ANOTHER WARNING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 232, 3 September 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1883. ANOTHER WARNING.

bATURBAY evening -afforded the towns* people of, Palmerotqn one more warning; of the danger of delay m organising measures for fire protection." " There were certain features m connection with the conflagration which were exceptionally favourable m the way of minimizing; its otherwise inevitable rapid spread and disastrous results. There was scarcely a breath of 'wind, the roof was of iron, the fire ,was discovered within a Rhort timSof its ritart, the supply of water was plentiful, people iWere about and rendered willing assistance. Let us consider the other aspect. Had the fire started, say after midnight, had there been a brisk breeze, had the roof been of shingle, had water been less accessible, or assistance less ample and energetic, nothing ( could have stoppedthe\. spread r ( ct,jt^ o cpnflagtation, and many bnildings m the Square and adjacent iirb'uldtbKday have been smouldering ruinaT This fact muse hare been ""apparent to every spectator. J The efficacy of Mr A, Fflftouso^'s handy and really most , serviceable , little extinguisher was sufficiently tested, and satisfactorily demonstrated In th"c opinion of many spectators, the fire would have extended, notwithstanding the efforts of those working so hard to extinguish it j but for the' asssis'tance of , the appliance referred to, which, notwithstanding that it has been subjected to ridicule and disparaging remarks m many quarters, proved* its upejulaess ou Saturday evening in 'a manner that will not sopn be l forgotten by those who saw tbestrugsle.The watei thrown by buckets did but liftle service, but immediately a | Iteady stream ejected with considora- j jole force was brought to play, the work | of subjugation of , the devouring element became more practicable, and certainly with a more powerful . engine, the Result would have bean proportionately niorje rapid and effecdve. Many people j as they stood and wiajched, ; the efforts j of those engaged m fighting the flames j with the comparatively speaking in»de- j qaate means at their disposal, must have tried to realise what would have besi the consequence had the fire got a firm| hold m? any thickly 1 built-upon portion of the town. Without any means of fire alarm or fire protection, Palmersston 1 is m the most helpless state against •'& destroying agency it is possible to conceive 1 < v> We S ' consider the Borough i Council ia n Qt fally alive to its d " tieß ; andjresponsibilities m this alWmportant question. None can say there have not been Efficient warnings/ and the .day must come, sooner or later, when we must pay the penalty of oar inexcusable * indifference and mest pulpable procrastination. „,,-,..,