THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1913. FIRE INSURANCE RATES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 118, 12 August 1913, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1913.

FIRE INSURANCE RATES.

"We nothing extenuate, nor set down auaht in malice."

We have heard many expressions o' discontent at the intolerably high rates for lire insurance which the residents of Pukekohe are called upon to pay. The ratepayers cheerfully accepted the burden of a big loan for the installation of a high pressure water service, but at the time the loan was raised one of the chief lnduceaents offered to ratepayers to sanction the luan was that there would be a substantial reduction in lire insurance premiums. We have been told that twenty-five per cent, wes premised. Many months have now passed, however, without any very determined effort having been made to secure the reduction. Of course the subject has been mentioned, hut the unofficial reply has been that the Fire lirigade is not efficient. We think it was a member of the Fiie Brigade Committee (we mean the Borough Council Committee) who recently declared in the Borough Council that they might as well have the Councillors at a fire, as the ba so, we think the Council ought to immediately make an exhaustive enquiry into the brigade's capacity for fire-fighting and its morale. We are informed that in the general fira drill the brigade members understand their work well, but that so far they have been unabh to arrange for "wet" practices. This is a vitally e sential part of the brigade's work, and we urge the Council to remedy the matter at once. We know rf ro body of men nmre worthy of sympathetic help than t*e Fire Brigade. They are entitled, too, to the Council's linancial co: sid«ration, and money judiciou-ly spent in making the bjOaada effirinnt and contented inl

sll-round saving in tire premium cost?. Apart from the mere financial aspect, a capable brigade may at any fire crisis te the means of savin? life and limb, as well as property. We do rot wish to make any scare suggestions in ibis connection, but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that Pukekohe iontains serious elements of a terrible holocaust. It will be too late to spur up the Borough Council and the brigade after some seriouH disaster has befallen the town. The brigade cannot be expected to do then best work unless they are practised and properly equipped. If the Council will study the weltare of the brigade now, they will at the same time bs looking after the material interests of the people by helping them towards securing relief lrom insurance rate 3 which a;e iniquiiously heavy.