HIGH INSURANCE RATES.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1040, 22 June 1883, Page 2

HIGH INSURANCE RATES.

TO THE EDITOR Bin,- —I observed in your contemporary, the Wanganui Chronicle of yesterday, that the business men of Wanganui had held a meeting at which Hie new tariff that is now being imposed was unanimously condemned, and as I think justly so too. Now, sir, I would recommend the business men of Patea to co-operate with them in their action. The great argument in favour of low rates in Wanganui is that they have a

very efficient Fire Brigade, and an ample supply of water. The strong argument for Patea is that we have a very efficient Fire Brigade, and, as a country town, there are not many what is termed “ blocks ” of houses in it, nearly every bouse too is well supplied with water. ■: I should like to say a little as regards the capabilities of our Fire Brigade. Ist They have about 20 good “ Volunteers ” in it, who are as good as a whole town, because they are strong young fellows, and thoroughly understand their business. The fire which took place at a house on one of our own “ blocks” the other night would have swept one side of that street had not. the. ,Fire Brigade not turned out, and smothered a fire with a loss only of about £IOO worth of property, which might have caused a loss at least of £20,000. The fire took place in the upstairs of a cabinetmaker’s shop in the middle of the night, and was all ablaze when the Fire Brigade turned up and saved the whole concern. They also have a very good man in Mr Dixon as captain, Trusting'some more able penman than I am will take the matter up.—lam &c., A Large Insurer.