A GILBERTIAN FIRE BRIGADE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8877, 31 July 1907, Page 2

A GILBERTIAN FIRE BRIGADE.

The recent eapjo messages about the conviction ; of a volunteer fire brigade in Saxony for incendiarism are amplified by the following message to the Daily Mail-Thirteen prominent citiezus, who constituted tho volunteer fire brigade of Siebeulohn, in Saxony, are in gaol awaiting trial for the systematic destruction of the town by fire. They plead in defence that their purpose was to improve the appearance of Siebenlehn by getting it rebuilt in better style at the expense of the insurance companies. One fireman has confessed that a definite plan for destroying the whole place had the formal sanction of the Town Council.' These zealous disciples of the municipal splendour not only would start fires but would see to it tiiat none of them was ever extinguished Individual members would claim the usual premiums from the town treasury for early arrival at the scene of the conflagration, hut there was a general understanding that the extinguishing of the flames was to be merely make-believe. Anybody who really tried to save burning buildings would be set upon by his comrade and beaten until he desisted. In order to ensure the fires “spreading” the volunteers would carry burning beams into adjoining buildings, and houses, sheds and barns which had failed to take fire would be hacked to pieces. Fire brigades from neighbouring villages, which hurried to Siobenleliu to assist the local heroes, were either deprived of water or had their hose cut into short lengths. Fires in Siebeulehu, moreover, were always made occasions for festivities.