THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 243, 19 July 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1872.

If the result of the late lire at Shortland should lead to additional precautions being taken to prevent/the recurrence of a similar catastrophe, some substantial good will have been obtained out of much evil. Every one acquainted with the slight nature of most if not all of the buildings at the Thames must feel both astonishment and gratitude that greater damage was not done. That the whole place has not been burned down like a box of matches is really wonderful. The Waiotahi Board, on Wednesday, passed a well-deserved vote of thanks to the Fire Brigade for their services on the occasion, but it is clear that twelve men is an insufficient number to form a Fire Brigade, and additional facilities should be given for obtaining water from the pipes, as well as uniformity of hose throughout, and other matters of detail. Shortland also should have a Fire Brigade as well as Grahamstown, unless, indeed, a brigade cou.d be organised for the whole dis-

trict, and in effecting such an arrangement as the latter, there may be some practical difficulties in the way. But, be this as it may, there is a great necessity for additional means being taken to prevent the spread of lire. One step in the right direction has been taken by the Waiotahi Board in ordering a hose reel at an expense of £4O. We should like to see the Kauaeranga Board placing themselves,Vtrall events, in as good a position as their neighbours across the Kanaka, in this respect. When the Thames is united into one Municipality concerted arra.nrements will nrobahlv

by made in this matter, but in the meantime, unless precautions are taken, the whole or greater part ot the township may ue reduced to ashes. We are very glad to find that active measures have been taken to relieve the wants of the sufferers by the late fire, and we are sure that every man on the field who has a shilling to spare wiff respond to the appeal of the committee. The wants of the sufferers should be the Jirst consideration in reference to the subjects. The next should be the taking steps to augment the j fire brigades, and to pro vide'-every I requisite that can possibly be suggested to protect lives and property in the event of another disastrous tire, fh; adoption of such a course ot proceeding would be to increase the facilities for effecting insurances, and to lessen the amount of rates charged. Considering .

'what a, ma-'s of frail % this place is. it lias often sm-nlpec} Jis that iany insurar.ee ofliee such /risky property, and tli v will not: dqSfb except at high rates. ijjml uncertain leasehold tenure upon whief a eonsiderai le j ortion of tin 1 Thames iffir held, does not con iuoe to the building of substantial stone or brick buildings, and the high rate of ground rents at Grahamstown is another reason for preventing a tenant going to more expcnselii building"than lie can help. From whatever point of view the question is looked at, the necessity of more stringent precautions being taken to prevent the spread of fire forces itself upon our notice. Prevention is better than cure, and the sooner steps are taken in the direction we have pointed out the better it will be for the safety of the whole of this community.