THE LATE FIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 14, 16 January 1872, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE.

To The Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail. Sir— Anyone who waa present at the fire last evening, must have been painfully impressed with the fact that although Nelson possesses a most efficient water supply, and a well-organ-ised Volunteer Fire Brigade, the hose employed is most unreliable. At present there are very many people in the city either not insured at all, or only partially so, under, what has proved to be, a delusion, that the water will in" all cases extinguish any fire without material damage. Can anyone doubt now that had the strong sea breeze, blowing yesterday morning, continued until 10 p.m. the whole of the comer would have gone, and possibly the flames might. have crossed the street. It is very well to endeavor to throw tbe blame on the Fire Brigade for turning the water on suddenly, but the hose ought to be of sufficient strength to resist this, as, anyone standing upon it when filled with

water at high pressure, would produce the same result, iv all probability; and what jnore likely than that, in the confusion of the moment, somebody might do so. The present hose being found by experience to be inadequate we ought to obtain some other kind without delay, and, a3 the large steam fire engines used in England throw water through leather riveted hose at a much higher pressure thau can be obtained from our mains, if ihe Brigade cannot afford to get at least 300 feet of this at once let them appeal to the public for funds for the purpose ; less than £50 would do this, and I for one shall be happy to contribute towards the cost. This being got there would be some security ; whereas at present the water supply is " a delusion and a snare." This is a question which interests not so much the Fire Brigade and lusurance Offices as the general public, seeing that unless the means of extinguishing fires are made more perfect than at present, the Offices will, without doubt, cancel the allowance of 25 per cent made so recently on account of the water. I am, Sec, A Citizen. Nelson, Jan. 15, 1872.