THE LATE FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 373, 22 December 1898, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

(BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Last Night. Oapt. Kemsley, in his letter ot resignation to the Wellington Borough Council, said the brigade had worked most zealously at the Royal Oak fire, and obeyed all orders, so that the jury's rider concerning inefficiency, error of judgment, etc.," simply applied to him personally, hence 1113 resignation. He insisted, however, that the loss of life was not due to want of any apparatus, and, as Lieut. Adams rescued one man with the gear at his disposal, he could have rescued a dozen. Messrs Greer and TUaudford were lost before the brigade could render any assistance. When he (Capt. Kemsley) went to the Royal Oak he could not search the place as he could only get upstairs for a few seronds. The fire brigade committee of the City Council has recommended that Captain Kemsley's resignation be accepted, and that applications for the post of captain of the brigade be invited in New Zealand and Australian papers, at a salary of £250 per annum, with free quarters. —Council unanimously adopted the recommendation. The City Council has passed more stringent by-laws as to building regulations, fire escapes and the like. In the course of his speech at the Mayoral installation, Mr Blair said it would be the duty of the Council to reorganise the fire brigade in such a way as would give the city satisfaction. He thought it would be reasonable for the Council to ask the which derived very considerable benefit from the fire brigade service and paid no rates, to assist the Council in its maintenance by contributing something in consideration of that benefit, and it ought to be something considerable.