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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 4 August 1880, Page 2

We have upon several occasions advocated the cause of the local Fire Brigade, and have endeavored to show that the existence of a trained body of firemen, willing at all times to render service in saving property, is, a matter of great importance to the public. We have seen that hitherto the members of the Brigade have received but scanty support, and that on several occasions they have been compelled to dip their hands pretty deeply into their individual pockets, to pay for the necessary appliances wherewith to save the property of the general public. That thi3 should have been the case is a disgrace to the town. We think that the members of the Brigade do their full share when giving their services at fires without fee or reward, while also running considerable personal risk and suffering a large amount of discomfort, inconvenience, and loss of time. Theleasttheinsurancecompaniesand the pnblic can do under such circumstances is to see that the Brigade is well-equipped —that they shall not be called upon to make bricks without straw, or provide their own straw. We are aware that many propertyowners in the town have refused to assist the Brigade because they looked upon the existence of a Fire Brigade while there was no water available as a farce, but even these

persons must by this time have been convinced that, even while contending against the great drawbacks of want of water and deficiency of plant,' the Brigade has done good service in the town. Now that the greatest of the drawbacks has reen removed, now that there is an ample water supply, the Brigade is capable of doing much more to save property and check the progress of a conflagration. The Brigade has also obtained a very fair plant, so that both the objections previously raised have been fully met, and the excuse hitherto pleaded by some for buttoning up their pockets will no longer avail. The Brigade is dow capable of doing good service, and the public may fairly be called upon to con tribal, towards a fund upon which there are many calls, but which unfortunately is inadequate to meet the* demands upon it. The Brigade is, in fact, in difficulties. Its funds are exhausted, it has a number of outstanding liabilities, and its creditors are pressing for their money. Seeing that these liabilities have been incurred by the purchase of plant specially for the purpose of conferring benefit upon the public, the Brigade may ■with a good grace ask the public to give them every assistance in meeting pressing demands.