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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 14, 9 December 1863, Page 2

It is but seldom that a newspaper has to record so melancholy an event as that which happened yesterday morning. In most instances, accidentsby fire are unattended with loss of life ; unfortunately such was not the case when the alarm was given on Tuesday. Wearied with waiting for her husband, Mrs Anderson fell asleep, and woke to find the house in flames. All the efforts made to rescue her wero unavailing, and she perished miserably. We are by no means fond of sensation writing, but were we not to bring this matter prominently before the public, we should be neglecting our duty. Months ago we sounded a note of warning to the people of Invercargill. We told

them that the to-vn was at any minute liable to b totally destroyed hy fire, and we advised the fbrmairon of a properly organised Brigade. Once again we ask our fellow-citizens whether they think that everything necessary has been done in the matter? Is there in Tnvercargill a Fire Brigade which does credit to those who in the first place undertook its formation? We do not hesitate to say there is not. Without wishing for a moment to impute blame to any one who was at the fire on Tuesday morning, we mast say that our firm conviction is, that had there been present half-a-dozen men who had been drilled under a competent leader, Mrs Anderson would not have lost her life. It is a lamentable circumstance to know that almost in the centre of a town numbering some thousands of inhabitants, an unfortunate woman was burnt to death in a house one of the doors of which was open. Most men have, at Some time or other, lieen present at a fire, and know that, whilst every one is anxious to assist, but little good is effected unless a properly organised Brigade is on the ground. There should be no further delay in this matter ; our leading men should at once come forward and do far more than they have, hitherto done. We publish in another column a letter from a correspondent, whose opinion appears to be that the public of Invercargill have displayed no apathy with regard to this Fire Brigade ; but facts are stubborn tilings, and the shocking occurrence of Tuesday morning affords a proof that the invercargiil Fire Brigade has been found " wanting."