The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 102, 7 March 1879, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879.

We avc probably under the mark when we say that within the last two years £20,000 worth of property lias been destroyed by fire in the Borough of Masterton. Of course the major portion of the loss lias fallen on the Insurance Companies, but indirectly in the long run it lias to be borne by the community where the fires occurred. Insurance Companies expect to make a profit out of their business, and if in any particular centre of population they find that they are losing money they at once take the necessary steps to protect themselves, It is evident that Masterton lias of late being a bad debt, and a big bad debt in the profit and loss account of the Companies, and we are not at all surprised that they are now proposing to raise the Insurance rates in the Borough on all buildings which are in close contact with one another, It is said that £3 in the hundred will be the rate for the future on all buildings in blocks, and such a scale will be a heavy annual charge on the owners of building property. The real meaning of such a high rate is an indirect pressure put upon the public to erect buildings which will b» in a measure (ire-proof. The block burnt on Monday last was very much like a row of packing cases, and almost as dangerous as a bundle of match boxes. With no wind the effect of a fire in one building was the destruction of the lot. The Insurance offices were foolish to have accepted premiums on such properties except at extrahazardousrates. Theireyesarenow open, and for the future owners willhave to pay high for their insurances. The only alternative, of course, is to protect buildings by brick or iron. This, in the first instance, means an additional outlay of capital carying from 25 to 50 per cent. But it is very probable that the saving effected annually in insurance premiums by using less imflammable material will more than compensate for the extra cost of construction. Wc cannot help thinking that in cases where the necessary capital cannot be found for erecting safe structures, it would be far better to sacrifice space to durability. There is rather a mania in Masterton for big buildings, and often shops and other business structures are erected on an unnecessarily pretentious scale. Far better would it be to put them up on a smaller scale and of a more permanent character. In one instance at least at Masterton both size and durability were obtained,' but at a cost which must have been a heavy charge to the firm which carried out the enterprise. Such an example could not possibly be generally earned out, especially in the present state of the money market. We therefore, believing that the choice of evils lies between big buildings with danger and moderate sized structures with security, advise the latter alternative! to all abouVta build, or rebuild in the'more thickly populated parts of the Borough of Masterton. , w

There ia a meeting of County Council West at Carterton next Wednesday, A Poßt Office is now openod at Taratahi, Mr Fisk has been appointed Postmaster. Dr Ji E Spratt lias been appointed surgeon to the new Odd Fellows' Lodge at Greytown. Messrs Caselberg & Co, gives notice that their salo of Greytown salvage goods will absolutely close to-morrow night. Mr J. Mi Girdlestone sells this day on the premises Bridge-street, Masterton, the whole of the valuable furniture and effects of the late Mrs Mary Dixon. Messrs lorns & Fergussons are instructed to sell the surplus stock of furniture of Mr Farmer's on the 29th inst without reserve.

The Greytown Athletic Club have called a meeting for this evening to form a committee to arrange sports for Easter Monday, We arc requested to give notice that the Rev J. F, Tealde will hold Divine Service on Sunday afternoon next at 3 o'clock in the Public School room, Opaki. Mr T. F. Bennett, who recently bought the Waihenga Hotel lias re-sold it to Mr E. Buckridge at ail advance oil his purchase,

The next meeting of the Greytown Christian Society will be held on Tuesday next, when Mr Rush will read an essay entitled "The Puritans, and their influence on the 19th century. This is registration month. Forms may be obtained from or filled in at the Waikaeapa Daily Office, free of charge. Every settler in the district should see that, if ho is not already on the roll, his name be at once sent in for registration. The "Intelligent Yagrant" evidently intends to secure for himself a local inhabitation and a name. We learn thathe (Mr J. M. Perrier) has purchased from J. 13. Maclcay the Bruce Herald, Clutha Times and Mataura Ensign. The Greytown Volunteers, after a long delay are now soon to appear in uniform. The cloth having been made especially for them, it only remains for the tailor to do his share, This corps has now become very proficient in their drill and should make a good display when they turn out in proper dress. Rifle practice is now regularly attended by the members.