Fire and Water.

Patea Mail, 10 February 1882, Page 3

Fire and Water.

The Fire Brigade in Patea is now recognised ns an important institution, and an increasing interest is shown in its welfare and efficiency. As the boron,h grows in compactness of buildings, the risk to each property owner becomes greater, for the recent fires at Invercargill and Gisborne are serious lessons on the rapidity with which many large buildings may be destroyed, though distant from the point where flames first break out. While congratulating ourselves on the rapid filling-up of gaps in the main street, it cannot be denied that the risk of fire in a particular block of buildings is seriously increased. If the town had a water supply with gravitation pressure, the increasing density of any building area would be neutralised as to risk by the increased appliances for promptly suppressing outbreaks of lire. The Patea Brigade has been making renewed efforts to cope with emergencies. The working appliances have been increased by purchasing from the Wanganui Brigade 500 feet of canvas hose, a hook and ladder, carriage, and 50 feet of ladders with the couplings ; and also, from Dunedin, 80 feet of guttapercha suction for wells. These have cost about £27, and adding outstanding accounts, there is a total of £3O now owing on these necessary items. The Wanganui Brigade allowed six months’ credit, and ns the time is now up, the Patea Brigade is appealing to the insurance companies, to the local bodies, and to the public for subscriptions to meet urgent claims. The following plant is now in good working order:—fire bell and bower complete; large manual engine; 600 feet of running hose, with couplings; 100 feet spare hose in case of bursts, &c.; 50 feet ladder; 20 leather fire buckets ; 30 feet india-rubber suction, 12 feet leather suction ; 2 grapnels complete, and 1 branch. The Brigade is also much in need of 1 axe, X pick, 1 spade, 2 long-handled boat-hooks, 200 feet canvas hose, 100 feet raanilla rope, 30-foot ladder, 1 hose reel, more volunteers.