The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1887. FIRE BRIGADES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2491, 4 January 1887, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1887. FIRE BRIGADES.

An inquiry lias recently been held in the condition of the Napier Fire Brigades in consequence of the nonsuccess ■whiob attended their efforts at the recent serious conflagration in that town. The Napier people,possess two Brigades, steam and manual engines, a high pressure water supply, and a full complement of firemen, and as a rule they, have had the reputation of successfully coping with. the .enemy against which they are arrayed. We have not as yet obtained a full report of the inquiry, but from portions which have reached us, it is supposed that one drawback to Fire Brigade efficiency in Napier .is "divided authority." There is a Superintendent in charge of the/Brigades, and an Inspector in charge, of the. water supply, and apparently these officers act independently of each other. In dealing with a serious, fire it is evident that there' should be one and only one, commanding officer,' who should control i all 1 operations,' and • be responsible' for every arrangement,-. Unfortunately in Masterton concerted ]' action of tits kind is impracticable because we posse® : two.-independent • Brigades, iWbicH| acknowledge : the .autflority;; if' theiiQ own only.. J&t 'the Sundagfcjt^ljr savorifflHr !«■■■

I we believe, one strong brigade would IJIO moro efficient in controlling a Hve than two .wf.uker.oiieSj fchoaa interested in (ire brigade work should make efficiency their first- consideration,; and i sink all minor differences to secure it. ;