THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 246, 23 July 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1872.

Tiie late fire at (Sliortland lias had one good effect, at all events. It has stimulated the movement to establish a Volunteer Fire Brigade for t.ie township, and a meeting is called for Thursday evening next, which will, we have no doubt, he well attended, and a sufficient number be found willing to join, to inaugurate an efficient force. At the meeting of the Kauaeranga Board, last evening, it was pointed out by the chairman that as yet there is no Firerate Act in force at Sliortlaud as there is in Grahamstown, and that it would he well to have such a measure introduced as early as possible. The majority of the inhabitants will, we think, agree with him, and he willing to co-operate with the Board in the matter. It has been pointed out frequently how peculiarly liable to accident by fire the Thames towns are, and the recent calamity has afforded an example worth any amount of arguments on the subject. The loss sustained directly on that occasion may be roughly estimated at about £3,U00. That it was not ten times that amount seems really wonderful. The fact that The Thames for so long a time has enjoyed an almost total immunity from loss by fire is no reason why we should expect to remain always free, and on the principle that “to be forewarned is to be forearmed,” it behoves the inhabitants generally to place themselves in as good a position as possible, in view of a like casualty which might occur at any date. The establishment >f an efficient Fire Brigade will be one step in the right direction. If by arrangement between ground landlord aid tenant, the latter could secure a more certain and beneficial interest in die property than is the case, we. believe, in many instances it would tend to the erection of more substantial buildings than the miserable timber shanties 'hick grace the streets at the Thames, flic erection of building of a more Inrable character would do much t<>vaids lessening liability to loss, in 1 ho amount at present charged by .isurauce companies to cover their iiidoubtedly great risk as matters stand it present. The expediency of holding in in quest into the cause and origin of die late fire has been much discussed. Vt present, as we said in a former rticle in reference to the subjeet, it nay be somewhat premature to lio.d in inquiry, but when ample time las been given to follow up any ■xisting clue, there can be no doubt the public would feel more satisfied if an i quest were held—-even if it had the >arron result which often attends iupiests on fires. There is seldom an jv.l or calamity of any kind which may not have some good effect. The late alamitous Fire at Bhortland has called 'lie attention of the community very generally to the subject, and we hope -<> see it result in the establishment of all possible precautions being taken in die event of a recurrence. The people lave come handsomely forward in aid of the sufferers, and we hope it will be long before a similar appeal will have to be made to them. YVe expect to see a full gathering at the Volunteer Hall, on Thursday, and that such resolutions will be passed as will result in the establishment of such a Fire Brigade at

shortlaud as shall he a credit to the place, and an example to be followed generally throughout the townships in the colony, where Fire Brigades have not already been established. In connexion with this subject we may mention that we hear it is in contemplation to give some substantial recognition to those who first discovered the lire, and those who assisted in saving life and property on the occasion, and confining the destruction to the narrowest possible limits; These are favourable features in the circumstances surrounding the late occurrence, and although it is much to be deplored, we venture to think it will, in its results, not he an unmitigated evil. The tone of public feeling on the subject is is evidently a healthy one. To prevent, if possible, a repition of the Fire in utilising the event in the best manner possible, and we are glad to find that the subject has been dealt with in a right spirit by the -people of the Thames.