THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1902. WAIMATE FIRE BRIGADE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 233, 24 July 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1902. WAIMATE FIRE BRIGADE.

From time immemorial voluntary organisations have been sub* mitted to adverse criticism in the performance of their duties, and the public, who contribute a small portion of the money in return for certain services, actually delude themselves into the belief that they are paying heavily to keep up a mere excresence on the body politic. So in Waimate it has been with the band, so it has been with everything else, and yet people profess to be surprised when such organisations disband and cease to exist. It would seem then that this was a piece of gross impertinence, a flying in the face of Providence, to ceaso from voluntary labour harder than they would care to do for ordinary work and pay, and proclaim their independence. Such is the case with the Fire Brigade at present. In return for certain criticisms by the Borough Council, which subsidises the Brigade to the extent of £25 per year, tho latter body decided on Tuesday to give a month's notice of its intention to disband.

Although we can hardly see that the occasion warranted such extreme measures, it ends a situation that both Council and Brigade describe as unsatisfactory and will give an opportunity for re-organisation on a new 'asis. At present the Brigade is dependent entirely on the £25 subsidy and whatever voluntary contributions it receives from those whose property it protects, so that there is not much of a margin after paying incidental expenses and repairs. We must have a Fire Brigade, of that there is no question, and it rests with the Borough Council to formulate i. scheme which will suit the Brigade, and ensure the safety of tho town in case of an outbreak of fire.