FIRE POLICE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1021, 1 May 1869, Page 2

FIRE POLICE.

A brief notice of the meeting for organising a fire police in Wanganui was given in Thursday’s Chronicle. W. L. Buller, Esq., R.M., occupied the chair. Mr J. W. Robinson moved the resolution affirming the desirability of forming such a force, and stated how necessary it was from what had taken place at recent fires in the town. Mr G. F. Allen seconded the motion, which was put and carried nem. con. Mr Powell made a few remarks.

It came out incidentally at the meeting that a fire engine purchased at Dunedin was paid for ; the Insurance Companies having contributed £IOO of the price, and the balance having been made up from a subscription raised in town about a year ago. Wanganui will thus be in possession of one good engine at least, and one or two smaller ones are said to be on the way. A good deal of conversation took place about making the proposed fire police either regular or special constables, the chairman inclining to the view that they must be the former, although, of course, their duties would be limited to attendance at fires.

It appears to us that the point is of little importance, and that it is not necessary to be either the one or the other. It is perfectly competent for a number of gentlemen, named and appointed by their fellowcitizens to look after and protect property exposed on the streets, without carrying a constable’s baton or having the power to “take up” thieves. The chief reason why the thing has not been done hitherto seems to be because what was everybody’s business turned out to be nobody’s business. The simple appointment of a number of respectable householders, without swearing in or fuss of any kind, gets rid of this objection, and is all that seems necessary for the proposed work. The functions of such a fire police quietly performed, we are very sure, will be found of great benefit to the community.