VOLUNTEERS. (To the, Editor of the Tuapeka. Times)

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 145, 17 November 1870, Page 4

VOLUNTEERS. (To the, Editor of the Tuapeka. Times)

Sic, — While quite recognising" the jollity, and even the importance, of arousing ourselves for the protection of our adopted country, I cannot but consider that it would be more- prudent to arm against the enemy which is most likely to invade our territory — I mean fire. We have in Lawrence a capital supply of ammunition in the

shape of water, and as far as the mains extend, we have fire plugs at convenient distances with & good hydrant, and a splendid indiarubber hose, long enough to reach most of the principal buildings in the town. Haying occasion to use this, a few d^ja since for the purpose of cleaning" a covered drain, I asked a neighbour, who has had some practice with similar apparatus, to adjust it for me, which he kindly did, aiid I then observed that although he understood the matter, want of continued practice had rendered him so out of practice that it took him some time properly to screw the various arrangements together, so as to set things in working order. When done, the whole machinery worked splendidly, and it occurred to me that if a few, say twenty, men were to practice with it two nights a week, each man having his proper position, and learning his duty in that position, in case of fire the arms at our disposal would be really valuable, and might, probably would, save the town from destruction. I do not, by any means, wish to throw cold water on the volunteer movement. I wish it every success ; but I do think that we should prepare ourselves efficiently and promptly to throw cold water on a fire, should it unhappily occur. Might not the volunteers perform a double function, and learn the use of water as well as of fire, and so destroy in the one case that which would, against a human enemy have to be employed, hut w'lich, in another form, is the most fearful devastative extant. Lyttelton to wit ! — I am, &c, John L. Shadwell Keen. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 1870.