THE LATE FIRE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 681, 1 February 1881, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE.

• (To. the. Editor* f tKs Daily;) Sir,—Knowing your _ large. Hearted sympathy-with people in distress, and ready wit in suggesting remedial measures for evils not quite incurable, I,come to you (without further apology.),- to pour out my troubles, aud to ask your'consideration and advice;

lam a member of the Mftstertoh Fire Brigade, and it'is in this, connection that lam in trouble, In the. firaV place, Sir, it is always considered! right that when men are.set to perform any work they sfibulf be provided with proper tools and appliances; but this is not eo with the .'Jtfastertoit Brigade", for we are-expected to do our work without tools, nor can we cjbtara help.from any 'quarterto' get the tookand appliances'we stand soinuch in need of. ..' In; the seoohd place," when we are called to a fire we have not'only our natural enemy to' contend with, but also a certain section of' the Mistertoh public, whjch does its 'utmost to obstruct the labors of the firemen, and to retard their efforts to .extinguish the • flames. This was particularly noticeable yesterday, at the fire at the Club, Some eight 'or ten persons- constituted themselves ' amateur captains of the brigade, and amused themselves by issuing contradictory'-orders, and when these were disregarded lounged fronj place to place, growling at- the inefficiency of the men who refused to obey any.- but. their own • officer*) and met appeals to take a turn at the pumps with stupid oath# and ourses. And in the third place we have too many Fire Inspectors, and when these gentlemen issue orders in direot opposition to each- other, as was the case yest6rday, the result is confusion and disorder,'

Now sir, our troubles are before you., and we await with confident • hope your advice, feeling assured that you in the plentitude of your wisdon oan readily point a way out of them, and knowing tliat.it,will give you .pleasure to wield the mighty power of the press to redress the grievances of the Masterton Volunteer Fire Brigade, Tell us then how to obtain Money to buy our needed tools, —tell us how to keep the" great unwashed " within due bounds, and tell us what to do with our Fire Inspectors, and deserve the undying gratitude of the whole Brigade, and

Yours, &c., r ._ n . • Fireman. [Mr Gapper, as Firelnspeotor, has a right to give orders to,the Brigade. It would be as well, however, if he wore Bome badge indicating hjj official position.] . MP,