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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5408, 27 July 1878, Page 2

It has been repeatedly pointed out, and the fact is obvious, that in a city like Wellington, which-is for the most part built of wood, it behoves the citizens to take every possible precaution to lessen risks to which they are liable from fire. It is impossible to prevent fires occasionally occurring, either by accident or design, in any community ; but it is both the interest and the duty of the inhabitants generally to do all they can to prevent the spread of a fire when it does occur. Wo have at the present time in Wellington a good water supply, but the question has yet to be decided whether it will be sufficient for all purposes in the summer. The city can also boast of two very efficient fire brigades, who have given account account of themselves in times • past, and will doubtless bo ready to respond to the call of duty in future, should their services unfortunately be required. It is clear, however, that the maintenance of fire brigades must entail considerable expense, and the question arises on whose shoulders it ought to fall. At the meeting of the City Council on Thursday a report was brought up on the subject from the Fire Brigades Committee, which appeared in our issue of yesterday. The committee recommended an annual grant from the Corporation of £SOO a year, that the insurance companies should be asked to increase their annual subsidy from £3OO to £4OO, and that the Government should contribute £IOO. The committee also recommended that “the £IOOO thus raised should bo “ expended as follows : —Annual contrl- “ bution to each brigade to defray current “expenses, £400; fund for repairs, each “ brigade, £SO ; annual gratuity to cap.“.tiyn of each brigade, £SO. Any surplus “ from repairs fund to go to accident “fund. That this sum of £IOOO should “ cover all expemes, except purchase of “ new plant. That pinnission should bo “ given to deduct 10 per cent, from the “ annual- grant, to be applied to the accident or benefit fund. That the con- “ trol of the respective brigades should “ remain in the hands of the captains, as “at present.” Councillor Macdonald. was of opinion that the insurance companies ought to contribute £SOO and the Government £2OO, and he was in favor of the two brigades being placed under the control of one superintendent, who would inspect risks, and be paid £4OO a year by the insurance companies. Councillor Hunter pointed out that if a paid superintendent was placed oyer the brigades it would have the effect of breaking them up, which would bo a great loss to the city, and this opinion will, wo believe, be shared by a largo section of the inhabi-’ tants, as it was by a majority of the Council. Councillor Hunter also observed that the Council could not well interfere with the manner in which the several insurance companies conducted their business. Ho reminded the Council that the fife engines had been brought here at the expense of the insurance companies, who had also contributed £OOO when the water supply was introduced. Ho thought the ■ Government should not be asked to give more than £IOO a year, and would prefer to see the money raised by private subscriptions or by vote of the Council. He was strongly in favor of the brigades being provided with the most perfect appliances, and said he had no doubt the insurance companies would meet the Council in a liberal spirit in a matter which interested them to so great an extent. He thought, also, that the public, and the Council as representing the public, should deal liberally, with the brigades, considering how hard they worked on all occasions when their services wore required. Councillor Macdonald’s amendments were ultimately carried, with the exception of those proposing an increased contribution from the Government and the appointment of a superintendent. The groat value and importance of our Fire Brigades is so generally acknowledged that it is needless to expatiate at length upon the subject; but in view of the rapid increase of the city, the duties which are voluntarily undertaken by these brigades must, as was stated in the report, be largely-increased ; and those bodies ought certainly to be well supported by the public. If the City Council, the insurance companies, and the citizens generally unite together in the matter, as they should do in a matter of such groat importance to them all, there cannot be a doubt that arrangements will bo made alike satisfactory to all parties concerned.