FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1721, 13 March 1895, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

AUCKLAND ASYLUM FIRE

CHARGES BY THE PREMIER Hokitika, Sunday. Last night Mr, Michel, president of the Association, interviewed the Premier with reference to the proposed withdrawal «>f free passes from delegates attending the annual Conference. Mr Seddon replied that the system had been much abused by the general issue of free pa.toe'3 to all classes of people. Ho also thought that as the Assoeia tion had a credit balance they were in a position to pay fares. He further referred to the action of the Auckland Brigade in alio wing , the Asylum to be burnt down and the water cut off to save ® small hotel. Mr Michel defended the Auckland Brigade, and the matter will probably form the subject of a discussion at the Conference. superintendent hughes’ explanation A Herald representative, yesterday evening, saw Superintendent Hughes, in reference to the statement made by the premier. Mr Hughes said Mr Seddoiu had evidently not troubled to make himself acquainted with the facts.! The water (said the Superin- . t.eudejit of the Auckland Brigade) had net-been cut off from the Asylum on the night|of the fire ; as a matter of fact, there was a greater pressure of water at the Asylum than was available at the Pltt-street fire, which Mr Seddon called a “small” one, but which in reality was very large. Superintendent Hughes further said that he had no control over the pressure at the Asylum. As to “ leaving the Asylum to burn down,” he had sent all the available assistance, but as a city officer, paid by the city, his first duty lay iuithe city. Had he been on his way td tho Asylum fire, ho would have had to] return. .Purther, Superintendent Hughes pointed out that many months ago he had; drawn attention to the inadequacy of means to eopo with a fire At the auxiliary block of the Asylum-