FIRE BRIGADES.

Southland Times, Issue 902, 19 February 1868, Page 1

FIRE BRIGADES.

(From the SoTrTmAtfP Times, Feh. 14th.) The remarks made in a recent issue upon the inactivity of the Invercargill Volunteer Fire Brigade has called forth a reply from the Captain (Mr Jomr Kingsujstd). The letter is temperate and to the point. He plainly tells the propertyholders that it is owing to their indifference that the Brigade has fallen off, in both numbers and efficiency, during the last three years. Every property or householder must confess that for real usefulness, a well organised and energetically conducted Fire Brigade is of the highest importance. The Eifle Volunteer Companies that may be formed will no doubt prove of great Bocial value by weaning young men from idleness and dissipation, by accustoming ti*em to manly exercise that not only develops the physical frame, but expands the intellect. Still it is not likely that our Eifle Volunteers will even be called'into service, while the Firemen know not to a minute when they may be summoned to fight a fierce battle with the most deadly of all enemies — fire ; thus they have a priority of claim to all others for public encouragement and support. Mr Xin qslaitd, in regretting that the little public interest shown in the progress of the company has so damped the ardour and deadened the energies of the members, considers it desirable to reorganise the Brigade hi accordance with " An Ordinance to make provision for the better ; protection of property in the province of Southland from damage by fire," passed by the Council two sessions since, and assented to by His Excellency the Governor hi March, 1867. Having gone through the clauses of this Ordinance, we cannot be surprised that such a regret should be expressed, or at the reluctance manifested by the Fire Brigade Volunteers to come under such an Ordinance. It lays down a code of laws for the management of the company, and provides that the property of the public hi the hands of the Brigade shall be vested in the Superintendent. It also authorises the enrolment of a Volunteer Fire Police, and invests them with considerable authority; but, like all provincial legislative jim-crackeries, it complicates the very thing it was most especially required to simplify. In Clause 12 it provides for the pulling down of houses, if necessary, to stay a fire ; but such is the nature of the . conditions, that they are abortive and cumbersome. It requires that a certificate in a, given form shall be obtained signed by three Insurance Companies. Is it possible to imagine obtuseness like unto this ? In the midst of a rapidly spreading fire no steps can be taken to stay its progress until the signature of three ; gentlemen have been obtained, who may be living at various parts of the suburbs, whom it would likely be difficult to find when wanted. Again, there is no provision, made, wholly or in part, to defray from the public funds the necessary expenses of the working of the Brigade. If it is to. become a Government institution, the charges for enginekeeper, and night watchman are clearly a Government liability; and if the Fire Police are to be of any value, there should be a paid officer appointed conjointly by Government and the Insurance Agents, to whom should be entrusted the power to decide when it was necessary to pull down

t buildings, and he should always have certificates - tificates with the required signature! c attached with him. Unless these provisions - sions are made an efficient company can 3 not be expected. j A public effort should be made to giv< . such support to the Invercargill Fir< T Brigade as will encourage its preseni . members to renewed exertion, and induce b others to join them. In other townsall th< l business men give small monthly sub L scriptions, and the Insurance Companies . contribute largely towards the expense* ! of Fire Brigades. It will be a last- . ing disgrace to the town if the Invercart gill Company should have to be disbanded for want of public support. We should ; like to see the activity of its members ] so far revived that they would not only . i re-commence regular engine practice, but also follow the example of other Brigades and establish a member's reading-room.