The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 516, 11 July 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1866.

There is no institution of modern conception that has proved of greater utility to, every community in which it has been introduced than the Fire Brigade. In England, America, and the Colonies, the Volunteer Fire Brigade has become an organisation of which every community is proud. The company is of necessity composed of brave and selfdenying men — men who desire more to work in the cause of humanity and the protection of property than make themselves conspicuous as sunshine, semi-mili-tary ornaments. In London the selfsacrificing daring of the fireman has equalled that of the bravest soldier that ever faced the cftnnon'3 mouth ; in America, the Eire Brigade hold a high position, in the affections of the people, an»i in these Colonies it has become an institution acknowledged to be of ths highest utility andworthy of commendation. Every member of this body, to maintain a position, must be brave, active, watchful, and self-sacrificing ; he must, at the first knell of the fire-bell, abandon slumber to perform a public and dangerous duty, he must be prepared to sacrifice time and comfort in order $0 serve his fellow-men, and risk his own life to save another's, if circumstances arise to require prompt and energetic action. In short, Fire Brigades are the only volunteer organisations that are continually called out for active service ; with them drill and practise is not showy parade, with a very remote possibility of having to do no more than exhibit j their activity on a Queen's Birthday Rej view, or a sham fight ; — they must ever be I preparedfor an emergency, efficient, active, and brave. Without the calm, self-possessed action of a well-trained company of firemen whenever a fire takes place, fear overmasters reason, men become excited and incapable of rendering that assistance which the exigencies of the occasion may demand. For these reasons we say that, in the Colonies especially, where the chief buildings are of the most inflammable description, Fire Brigades are entitled to the unanimous support of the public. It is matter for regret that the Invereargill Fire Brigade has received but small encouragement from either the Government or the inhabitants of the town. Since the first establishment of the company it has attained an efficiency that entitles it to the support of the public. Is that support awarded ? No ! the mechanical appliance? have been obtained, and to the credit f f the Brigade be it said, that despite the lack of forthcoming funds for keeping everything in working order, they have kept the engine and its appurtenances in a perfect state of preparation for service, and still evince a determination to keep the company in existence. But all their efforts will prove futile, unless both the Government and the public give assistance, — they may have the engine in ; perfect working order, and be at the scene of a fire, ready to put it in operation, but without water all their desires would be wort! less. "We undertt md that the fire-wei's, which were constructed by the Town Board, have from neglect, become almost valueless, and that in case of a fire breaking out in the heart of the town, the consequences would, in all probability, bo great beyond conception. ~We learn from Captain Heess that this subject was officially brought under the notice of the Government as far back as .January last, when the Inspector of Bends was instructed to examine the wells and report upon their condition, and from that gentleman's report it appears that there were at that time " six wells, three in Dee-street, two in Tay- street, and one in Esk-street. Two of the wells in Doe-street are sound, the third, useless ; that the one in Eskstreet is considerably caved in, and although containing considerable water is not in a safe state ; that those in Taystreet are partly caved-in, and will doubtless become worse if left in the present state, and thereby the volumn of water is considerably lessened (fully one-half) ; nevertheless they are not dangerous. 'Ons of the wells in Dee-street — the one opposite the Southland Club Hotel should certainly be condemned and another sunk in its stead, and the well in Eskstreet I would recommend should be treated in a like manner ; but those in Tay-street should be cleaned out to the original depth, and the sides dry bricked ; the remaining two in Dee-street may stand for a length of time, but to ensure permanence it would be necessary to brick line them." Mr. Dawson then gives his estimete of the cost of the work recommended at £94 15s. This is an amount so small that it appears extraordinary that so important a work should not long since have been performed. Six months has now elapsed, and no action has been taken, and every month has increased the damage to the welk, and the cost of the repairs will mow be considerably augmented. "We cannot acqnit the Government of blame in this matter. Embarrassed as undoubtedly it I hag been still for a work of such im* I

portanee as keeping the fire -wells in order should have been done at all risks. It is to be hoped that the subject will now receive attention. The inhabitants of Invercargill are deserving of censure. They sleep as it were on the brink of a mine which may, at any time, break out with devastating power, and take no precaution to place themselves in a state of preparedness to combat the fiery foe when he should come. The indiiferent support which ha3 been given to the Fire Brigade is, in the highest degree, censurable, and great credit is due to Captain Eeese and his persevering colleagues that the Invercargill Eire Brigade has not, like most of our public institutions, become a thing of the past. It still exists, and is deserving of public recognition of past services. .The promoters of the Drawing-room Entertainment propose shortly to give another conversazione, and we would suggest that the Kre Brigade can put in claims that are sufficiently strong to prove a legitimate title to the proceeds.