PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 801, 17 December 1853, Page 3

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE.

A Public Meeting was held yesterday, pursuant to advertisement, at the Royal Exchange Hotel. At half-past twelve o’clock Mr Archibald Clark was called to the chair. After a few introductory observations by the chairman, the meeting was briefly addressed by Messrs. Charles Davis and David Graham (to whom, we believe, the credit of originating this movement is due), and by Messrs. Gillillau, Kelly, and Shalders. A preliminary subscription list was read, and Mr. Davis expressed his sense of the encouragement afforded by the promptitude and liberality with which the inhabitants had cooperated in the effort. Mr. D. Graham made a statement showing the manner in which such undertakings were conducted in

San Francisco,-reading an extract from a recent San Francisco paper illustrating the immediate and efficient aid afforded on a late occasion at a fire there by the Fire Brigade and their engines—and urged that the people themselves should come forward to effect the object, without wailing for its being done by the Government. The following Resolutions were then adopted. t I. Moved by Mr. Davis, seconded bv Mr. Kelly,—that Subscription Lists be opened for the purpose of raising sufficient funds for the purchase of Fire Engines, etc. 2. Moved by Mr. Graham, seconded by Mr. G ill'll lan, lliat when the Subscription Lists are closed, the subscribers shall meet and appoint a Committee to carry out the object. 3. Moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Shalders, That the Subscription Lists be closed within six days from this date. 4. Moved by ir. Davis, seconded bv Mr. Kelly, 1 hat Messrs. Graham, Davis. Williamson, Shatters, Stiiehbnry. Macky, Kelly, Hughes, and Jones be appointed a Provisional Committee to obtain subscriptions. A meeting of the Committee was held afterwards, at which arrangements were made for obtaining subscript inns which will he found announced in or advertising columns. It cannot be necessary to say a" word to stimulate oar local community to co-operation in an undertaking of such obvious, universal, and urgent importance.

Ciirnna of England.— We understand C the Bishop of New Zealand will hold an (

dinalion at Si. Paul’s Church on Smulay morning (to-morrow), when Messrs, Baker and Hoy wood are lo be adniilted to ihe Order of Deacon,and the llcvds. J. Morgan and A. G. Purehas lo iho Order of Priest. The Bishop will also hold a Confirmation Service at 3 f, o’eloek in the aflernoan of that day. We furlher learn dial a Valedielory Address will he presented to his Lordship at the School Room of St. Paul’s on Wednesday next, on which occasion wo helie\e that not, merely the Clergymen and Lay member; of the Church of England, hut li e colonists of every religions denomination who may desire lo be present will be cordially welcome, Auckland Museum. —We observe with pleasure the progress of litis interesting and promising Institution, which, although so recently established, and dependent so much ; on the exertions of a single individual (Mr. J. A. Smith), already possesses a collection of specimens which are well worth a visit from either Ihe resident, or the stranger in Auckland. It is particularly attractive just now. His Excellency Sir George Grey having kindly permitted the exhibition there for a short lime of a number of sketches of the Loyalty and other Islands, taken for him by Mr. C. Heaphy, and executed in a very spirited and striking manner;—together with birds, and curiosities of various kinds from the Islands. As those mast soon be removed, we advise our local readers to avail themselves of the opportunity of seeing them which is afforded on Wednesdays and Saturdays,— the days on which (he Museum is statedly open lo the public The more practical and business visitor may also see there several specimens of an Asphalte, which Corporal James I Fall, of the Royal Sappers and Miners, has succeeded in making from articles of New Zealand production,—viz. Kauri Gum and Sand mixed in duo proportions with Coal 'Far, and which promises to be a very valuable material for flooring, roofing, covering yards and paths, c. We understand that al present it is being employed for lining the drains at the Barracks, and that so competent a judge as Colonel Baddeley regards it as excellently adapted for the purposes to which Asphalte is so extensively applied at home It ran be made, we believe, al a much less cost than that al which Asphalte is usually obtained in England. Coroner’s Inquest.— An Inquest was held on the Bih instant, at Olara Grove, (Mr. E. Hickson’s) before Captain Alexander Macdonald, Coroner, on the body of Margaret Mnlloy, wife of a Pensioner, It appeared that her death had resulted from apoplexy, and the jury found a verdict accordingly.