The Standard AND PEOPLES ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1875.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 244, 3 February 1875, Page 2

The Standard AND PEOPLES ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1875.

“ We shall sell to no num justice or right: ■- We shall deny to no man justice or right.: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

AVe make no apology for continuing the remarks we made some time since on the subject of fire and insurance. The substance of the following has been communicated to us from time to time in many ways, and we should not properly fulfil our duty did. we withhold it any longer from public observation.

Notwithstanding the heavy losses that are continually incurred through conflagrations in some of our larger towns —and notably so in Aucklana-— many people neglect to avail themselves of the facilities that are at their disposal to protect their properties against such losses. Some there are, we believe, who are averse to any mode of insurance, on the ground that such precautions are at variance with the dispensations of Providence, like the “ Peculiar People,” in England, who deny medical aid to their nearest relatives, because they think it is antiscriptural to do so ; but we fancy that these absurdities do not deter many in New Zealand from acting towards themselves as rational beings ought to act. AV hatever may be the cause of it, there is, unquestionably, an unaccountable amount of apathy displayed in this direction ; more particularly iu regard to supplementing the facilities offered by Insurance Companies against loss, namely, the taking of proper precautions to prevent fire originating, and likewise spreading. A large percentage of our trading population seem to think that it is better to run the risk of their property being destroyed than to trouble themselves about the matter. Many instances could be adduced of wealthy persons, who considered insurance unnecessary, being totally ruined by fire. One of such instances occurred in Hull, England, about two years ago, where a large importer of foreign goods could not be prevailed upon to insure, on the ground that the payment of the premium—which iu his case, would amount to several hundred pounds—would be so much money thrown away annually. A fire—which originated in one of the adjoining premises, consumed his establishment, and left him all but penniless. He then—as people who are suddenly and unexpectedly placed in similar circumstances generally do—upbraided himself for his folly. In a country like ours, where the houses are principally built of wood, and where the liability to fire is much greater than it is where the houses are built of brick or stone, the necessity for organized precaution is indispensable, and inattention to so important a matter betrays inexcusable indiscretion. Again, many who do

take out policies do not insure to the full value of their property, but only to a certain amount —which is termed partial insurance — and it often happens that after a fire has done its work, it is found that the damage sustained is far from being covered by the insurance. It is, therefore, much safer to be wholly and not partially insured, provided that a larger value is not set upon the property than it is really worth. The insurance officers will, however, see that they are not likely to be defrauded in this respect, and it is proper that such excellent institutions should carefully look to their own interests. Frauds upon insurances are, happily, less now-a-days than they were wont to be, owing, no doubt, in a great measure, to the admirable manner in which Insurance Companies act towards the insured. Legitimate claims are promptly paid, and it is seldom that a Court of Law has to be appealed to for the adjustment of any demand that appears to be free from suspicion.

After the destructive fire at Opotiki, a few' months ago, the manager of the New' Zealand Insurance Company, Auckland, Mr. Pierce, addressed a letter to the District Agent, Tauranga, in which he makes some valuable suggestions, which are well worthy of being adopted. Mr. Pierce, whilst professing to “ have little faith in fire engines amongst wooden buildings, entertains a most favorable opinion of the utility of buckets, blankets, hooks, aud ladders, and urges the agent to call a meeting of the inhabitants of Tauranga to establish a fire brigade to act iu case of emergency. This is just what should be done in every town, and what we earnestly wish to see. done in Gisborne. A well exercised brigade, adequately equipped with “ buckets, blankets, hooks, and ladders,” would assuredly render very effective service in extinguishing fires aud saving property, whilst a crowd of people, undisciplined to such perilous work, however willing to aid, would be comparatively useless, as they frequently prove to be. Mr. Pierce further suggests—and a good suggestion it is—that a few row's of galvanised iron buckets, always filled, be kept in readiness, as on the West Coast, for use, and thinks that by the timely and judicious application of means, many fires might be prevented. Scarcity of water has, in innumerable instances, led to the destruction of of thousands of pounds’ worth of property. Gisborne is increasing daily its amount of risk from fire ; and we fear that, unless an organized method is adopted so as to have a copious supply of water at hand when wanted, it will avail us as little when a fire is raging to know that there is plenty of that article in the river, as it does for Mater familias — who has no vegetables for the family dinner—to be told that tons are rotting in the gardens miles away.