A STEAM FIRE ENGINE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5683, 17 June 1879, Page 3

A STEAM FIRE ENGINE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THU NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —It is seldom that my name is admitted to your columns, save in the way of censure. You did me the honor this morning again to mention mo prominently in your report of the sad catastrophe of Sunday evening, the reference being condemnatory of something I had said or done in regard to Dr. Diver’s proposal to purchase a floating fire engine. I never shrink from bearing my share of blame, despite the fact that I never receive any praise, but I am at a loss to discover upon what principle you single me and Councillor Allen out from amongst the other Councillors a 5 being most responsible for the rejection of the proposal to purchase a floating fire engine. However, as you have raised the point, let us follow it up a little more closely. Councillor Diver’s motion was introduced on the 21st March, 187 S. The newspapers gave brief reports of the discussion; so short, indeed, are they that I may fairly ask you to insert them here in order to show, first, what little attention tho Council paid to the matter, and, second, who those members were who shelved tho motion.

The New Zealand Times reports :—“Councillor Diver moved that the Corporation purchase a floating fire engine for Wellington harbor.—Councillor Hunter advocated tho adoption of a steam fire engine for the city instead of a floating one. —Councillors Allan and Dixon thought the expense of tho engine was at present unwarranted. —Councillor Macdonald was almost of the same opinion, although he had full confidence in the project. At present, however, he thought they might dispense with tho proposed luxury.—After some further remarks from Councillors Moss and Fisher, Councillor Diver withdrew his motion for throe months.” The Evening Post reports : Councillor Diver moved that a floating or steam fire engine bo purchased for the city, pointing out

tho urgent necessity for thus supplementing the regular supply of water for fire extinction. A discussion followed, most of the Councillors approving the proposal, and only objecting on the score of expense. Ultimately, Councillor Diver agreed to postpone the matter for three months.”

The Evening Argus reports “ Councillor Diver moved that the Corporation purchase a floating fire engine for tho Wellington harbor. The mo/sr, however, amended _ his motion, on the suggestion of Councillor Hunter, who advocated'a steam fire engine for the city, which experience had shown would be more useful.—A discussion then arose on the question of expense, it being pointed out that an engine could not be obtained under, say, £BOOO or £IO,OOO.— Councillor Macdonald quite agreed with Councillor Hunter as to the desirability of possessing such a means of preventing the destruction of property by fire, out he was afraid they could not at present afford the luxury.—At the latter gentleman’s .suggestion, therefore, the consideration of the subject was postponed for three months.” I have had much cause in the past to complain ;of the unjustness of your criticisms of rnyseif. 1 should not even now complain were it not that I think you went very much out of your way to create an unfavorable impression which may be the more lasting because of the manner in which yon couple my name and Councillor Allen’s with a great public calamity. You will observe from the reports quoted above that my name is mentioned in a merely casual and subsidiary way in one paper only, which goes to show that I expressed no strong opinion upon the subject, while Councillor Allen did not speak at all. In justice to him I hope you will insert this letter. I may say now, that in preference to voting lor a floating fire engine, I should like to see the Wainuiomata water brought into the town without delay. It is more than a year since Councillor Hogan and I moved in this matter, the proposal itself being adopted by the Council on my motion. With a 24in. main running through the city, we should require no floating engine, and why should we spend £IO,OOO upon such a proposal when the money could be better spent by at once taking steps to bring in tho Wainuiomata water, which would be serviceable in all parts of the city, and not only in that part which skirts the harbor.—l am, &c., Geo, Fisheii. .Tune 16, 1879, [We regret that Mr. Fisher should have been blamed apparently without a cause, ami can excuse a little soreness under the circumstances. Mr. Fisher is mistaken in supposing that wo have any desire to withhold praise from him when he has earned it, and can only hope that his actions and opinions as a councillor may find more favor in our eyes in the future than they have done in the past,—Ed. N. Z. Times.]