The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1885. THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 136, 14 May 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1885. THE FIRE BRIGADE.

The financial position of our local Fire Brigade was referred to at the last meeting of the Borough Council. Cr West' took up its case with spirit, and pointed out that its liabilities had been incurred through promises that had' not been fulfilled. , Cr Bentley also came to the rescue, and urged the claims of the Fire Brigade upon the consideration of the Council. The Mayor expressed his full sympathy with the necessities of the Brigade, but at the same time drew attention to the financial straits of the Borough itself. His remarks were m effect that those who administered Borough affairs must be just before they were generous. The suggestion that an application should be made to the local agencies of the insurance companies for contributions is a good one. As the Mayor pointed out, all the Companies represented m Palmerston derive large incomes from property owners m Palmerston, and more particularly the Square ; and it was only reasonable that they should be asked to contribute. The Company he represented "he was sure would do so, and Cr Bentley spoke m equally confident terms with regard to his Companyi We believe the others would do so likewise, as m common fairness they should. We dare say the New Zealand Company does the chief business m this town, and we think, it would not be much to expect a contribution from it at least £%0, which i sum would not be out of proportion to the substantial annual income it derives from the town. It isapparit possesses, the same esprit de. corps cannot continue to animate the Brigade, as would do so were the, conditions different. But still the body could, and no doubt would, be of considerable service, should a fire I occur, even with only such limited appliances as it now possesses. A fire engine would be a great acquisition, and we hope some day to be able to place it on record that one has been procured. It is to be hoped the Brigade will not lose heart, nor the public its interest m the organisation, which may yet grow to be a most useful institution. It will be a matter for congratulation to know that the Brigade is out of its financial difficulties, and as Cr West pointed out, its maintenance will not entail any outlay, and it will be prepared for the time, which we hope is not yery distant, when an adequate water supply, and more encouraging surroundings will induce it tb advance, |by rapid stages to a condition of thorough and creditable efficiency. The present is the day of small things with our Fire Brigade, and we trust that a career of usefulness and success is before it. Its immediate straits and difficulties will cause its subsequent history to wear * more cheerful aspect by comparison. The nucleus of a useful institution is m existence ; let us combine to keep it together until its position is better established, its financial condition more hopeful, and its prospects generally speaking more auspicious. It is essentially a public institution, and the public should deem it a bounden duty to render it a loyal support, so that it may survive "till the clouds roll by."