ANDQOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1874. "MEASURES. NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 326, 31 January 1874, Page 2

ANDQOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1874. "MEASURES. NOT MEN."

Theke were two or three things, it was supposed, we should learn froril the fire that recently occurred in Ross Place. The first was the importance of brick and stone houses over wooden erections. That lesson the enterprising proprietor of the premises has already learned, and has called for tenders for others of stone and brick. So far well. The greater durability of such premises, and the greater capability of resisting fire, will show the true economy of this movement in the right direction. Another lesson it was supposed we should learn was the re-establishment of a Volunteer Fire Brigade. Whilst in the extinguishing of the fire everyone within call showed the greatest promptness and aeal, it was only a few of the number that slowed that coolness and orderly conduct which discipline and training alone give in such trying circumstances. Surely, everyone thought, a Fire Brigade will now be established in town. This accident has shown the deep necessity there exists for such an institution ; but weflk after week has passed, and no Fire Brigade has been instituted. Things remain in stcttu quo, and if another fire were to. occur to-morrow, and with the recurrence of such hot dry winds as we have had of late, what is to hinder it, we should bo no nearer efficiency to suppress the raging element than before the fire broke out. "Procrastination is the thief of time," and it is time the citizeus of Lavfrence were up to, a.rrest the thief, and prepare themselves for the evil day. Another lesson, it was thought, was the extension of the water mains. These mains begin nearly opposite the store of Messrs. Herbert and Co. , and extend no further than Peel-street, top of Colonsaystreet. We are aware that the question of purifying the water has engaged the Town Council, and that probably they are postponing the matter until a pure supply iB obtained. But it is not necessary they should wait so. long ; the pipes would jserve equally well in either case, and if a fii.*e should occur in any part of the town other than in the part along which the water mains is laid, it would be • utterly impossible to quench, it. A great deal of discussion has been, carried on in the Council re the Town Hall. There lias been a, sad want of unanimity. A party going in for a Hall too expensive and too extravagant, we think, for the wanfys of the town, and another for a cheaper erection. Is this a matter of such pressing necessity that the water question, which^ from the uncertainty connected with the accidents of fire, may be of imminent necessity, should stand over for it ? We would counsel the Council to do something useful during their term of office, and not waste their precious time in s\ich cross-purposes, as I has been displayed in the matter of the Town Hall. There is no saying when W.ater may. be required to quench a fire. It has often been observed that when a community has enjoyed long immunity from such accidents, that it is followed by a fatal run of tlie same ; and trnly, if we are to judge from the frequency of common chimney fires of late, we may be nearer another conflagration th.m we suppose ; and if it should occur, we warn the Town Council that they are laying themselves open to censure, and we think they will in great part deserve it.