Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News. THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1907.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43071, 21 March 1907, Page 2

Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1907.

2hit above all—to thine own self he true, And tt must follow as the night the day Thou eanst not then he false to any man Shakespeare.

The proposed removal of the fire brigade station from its present most awkward situation to a higher and more central part of the town, is a matter for which, if finally carried out, the Council deserves some commendation. It is a move that will tend to benefit practically every citizen or property-holder, and it is questionable whether the change will be of the slightest detriment even to those who are in close proximity to the present shed, for the time lost in getting the reel out of the old shed, would be more than made up by the speed and ease with which the brigade could travel down hill from the proposed new station. It will be remembered that at the February meeting of the Council, Councillor Mclndoe, who is also chairman of the School Committee, stated that the Board of Education had some time ago granted permission for the Council to erect a fire station on the school reserve, and although there is a proviso that the building must be removed on a month’s notice being given by the Board, it appears extremely unlikely that such provision would ever need to be carried out. Our Council can boast of a splendid supply of water at a pressure which is probably second to none in the colony for a similar purpose, and the brigade has to put that supply to best advantage when the time of peril comes. It is therefore upon the efficiency of the brigade and the mechanical equipment with which it has to work, that its power to fight and overcome the flames depends, and often as not, a life, or at least property valued at a large sum, may and generally does lay at stake whilst the brigade is at work. Money spent upon fire appliances is well invested as a rifle, for an efficient

"brigade and good water supply means a substantial reduction in fire insurance premiums, which alone is a benefit, directly realised by the citizen. We have seen the brigade sorely taxed in getting up the hill, at the top of Burgess-street, for instance, and even with a station at the school ground, this trouble would still be present in the case of'a fire occurring above Koromiko - street, but when the distance to be travelled is compared with the distance from the old shed, the great advantage is plainly seen. Every moment saved in turning out and getting the jets to play is valuable, and when the proposed change, is brought about we shall look for some very smart doings by the brigade when, it happens to be called out. We. have no doubt that the members will acquit themselves creditably, as has always been done so far as the conditions under which they have to work will allow. Perhaps at some future time it will be within the means of the town to facilitate the prompt turning out of the full brigade by means of an electric alarm to each fireman’s abode. It is more than probable that the Te Aroha fire brigade will get many useful hints from the Christchurch demonstration at which six members are now present. Let us hope that any economical suggestions for improving the efficiency of the brigade, will receive full consideration with a view to possible adoption.