"FIRE AND WATER."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2948, 12 July 1888, Page 2

"FIRE AND WATER."

Tim following letter was read from the Wellington Fire Underwriter's Association at a meeting ot the Borough Council on Tuesday last

Weiiinqton, July 2nd, 1888. Dear Sir Your letter dated the 7th ult. ciimo duly tu liaud, and lws been considered by tlio Executive Cuminittoe, who bavo instructed mo to reply thereto. Tlio Committoo regret to learn from your communication that the arrangements iu connection with the firo extinguishing appliances are so delieieut: this is more particularly noticeable in the matter of conveying the engines from tlio sheds to the scono of a tiro, and the water being quite cold at the time of an alarm, we would respectfully urgo upon your Council the advisabloness of early rectifying these deficiencies.

But the most serious defect ot all is undoubtedly tho inadequacy of tho water supply available for tiro extinguishing purposes, and, unless some scheme is decided _ unon by the Council at an early date, this Association will requiro to take into tlwiv earnest consideration the necessity of specially rating certain of the more thickly built upon portions of tho town, an there is a unanimous feeling that under tho circumstances, tho rates now ruling in Masterton are totally inadequate for the risks incurred, and a number of offices have expressed their intention of withdrawing from business in tho district altogether, unless some efficient wator schemo is adopted, or the rates raised 25 per cent,

With regard to your statement that this Association is indebted to tho Fire Brigado to tho extent of £2O, ivo must again refuse to recogniso this olaim, this expense was incurred without the knowledge or consent of the Insurance Companies, and an intimation declining to acknowledge the liability was sent you in- December, 1880. On several occasions when tliis Association has been appealed to by Fire Brigades to contribute towards the expenses incurred at fires, it has dono so by way of a donation or gratuity, but it has always deolined to recognise any liability for money spent on such occasions, without direct authority.

hi reference to your request for substantial assistance for the purposo ef carrying out mutual protective measures, I may point out that it is not tho policy of tho Underwriters now to contribute funds in that direction, Insurance Companies incur certain risks, and tho rates for such risks should bo regulated according to tho hazardous nature thereof, You will therefore soe that this letter is not written with a desiro to threaten, - but more with a view to pointing out how the Council and the citizens can preyont higher rates being charged. 1 trust that you will lay this matter before your Council at an early date, and if this association could bo assured that within tho course of a month or so, an efficient.water supply schemo was likely to be adopted, and better arrangements made for more expeditiously bringing.the steam fire Engine into action at a fire, tny committee feel sure that tho races under our now country tariff (in accordance with which the buildings in Masterton are rated), will be allowed to remain unaltered.'

I am &c., H. M. Lyon, •' Secretary. Commenting on the letter Cr. Parsons said when tliey procured the Steam Fire Engine, they were given to understand that Insurance rates, as a consequence, would fall, What they found to be the result on the contrary "was an inorease, and a threat ofafui% rise m tho vatos, Ho

thought the best thing they could do was to sell the" Jubilee" engine. ~ Or Gapper was of the saine opinion. Seven years ago, they had nothing but a Manual, and the rates were comparatively low. Now they had double the amount of fire preventing apparatus, and what was the result ? Instead of their rates being lowered, their already high Insurance premium had been increased by 25 per cent., and they were threatened a further rise of a like amount unless they consented to further burthen the ratepayers with a large annual expenditure on the engine, and a water supply. To keep a jet of gas under the engine meant keeping an extra man as custodian, and they would require horses. Thoy would have to increase their Fire Brigade charges by j!100 a year. Tho ratepayers were already paying £2OO, and they could not stand any further strain.' The Companies had threatened them with another increase of 25 per cent. The best thing they could do was to let the Insurance Companies do as they lilted, and the Brigades work their own way. " Cr Chamberlain thought the Insurance Companies had been misinformed as to the time it took to start the engine and get up steam. \Tlie Mayor said he did not know what further answer they could give than had already been sent. Mr Campbell, the agent, had visited Masterton; and had been supplied with every information, • Cr Bikins said he went round with Mr Campbell, arid all that was insisted on was that some wells should be sunk in Queen-street. Tho whole bother was caused in consequence of certain letters that were sent down to the Association.

The Mayor said there was 110 doubt letters bad been sent down about the waiit of water, but he did not' know who had written them. The point they were discussing, however, was that of the engine, Or Parsons pointed out the inutility of discussing the matter in Council. Tho letter should bo referred to the Five Brigade Committee. Cr Muir said there was not a town of the size of Masterton that had anything like the same appliances. The Insurance offices were malting money hand over list out of them, and tho Masterton people were now paying for losses of previous years. It was 110 uso for the Association to say they did iiot contribute to Fire Brigades now. They did in other places. The arguments in the letter could easily be refuted. Tho letter should be laid on the table. The fact appeared to him to be an attempt to introduce the water scheme again,' He moved that the letter be laid on the table.

The Mayor said it was quite open to anyone to write about the action of the Council in regard to a water supply, It was a public body. The question for them to consider was the contents of the letter.

.. Cr Gapper asked to have the latter part of the letter read, referring to tho repudiation by the Association of their liability for 120 to the old Brigade. Ho pointed out the difficulties Fird Inspectors ind Captains of Brigades labored under. They had to trust to the'honor of the Insurance Companies unless the local agent specially instructed them to pump. If they did anything without first getting permission from the local agent the Borough had to pay for it.. The more he considered it the more strongly lie was convinced of the error that had been'made by getting the Jubilee'. The result upon Fire insurance rates was tho opposite to their anticipations, Cr Muir said there was no doubt that the sum of £2O had been verbally authorised. It had been incurred under the old Brigado, aud was now ignored, Tho Mayor said there was no means

of compelling them to pay the sum, The two main points were getting the engine quicker to the fire, and a better water supply, Cr Chamberlain said as the wards were about to be abolished the question should bo left over, and then the centre of the town could lax themselves for a water supply, Cr Muir said as a matter of fact the ohiefblocks had a better water supply than the outside risks, and instead of threatening to increase the rates in the town they should increase the rates to the outside. The Mayor said it was patent to everyone that they wanted a watersupply, They wanted water for the streets also. It was a question for the ratepayers, whose money they had been fooling away. It was nonsence to talk about selling tho Jubilee. It was 110 use to try and smother the

question. Or T. Chamberlain seconded the

motion to lay the letter on the table. The Mayor thought, it would bo very wrong to act on such a resolution. The better way would bo to Bend ft courteous reply, and toll tho Association the matter would come before the peoplo for their consideration, and the result forwarded in due course,

Cr Perry did not see why thoy should do that, A courteous reply ■had already been sent, and it had no ofi'ect.

Cr Gapper asked if a special districl could rate itself for a special purpose, Tho Mayor said not for gas 01 water.

( Cr Gapper did not see why the outside districts should be asked to pay for the protection of property in the centre of the town,

The Mayor" moved and Cr Cullen seconded that a courteous reply be sent to the Underwriters Association pointing out that the question would come before the ratepayers of Queenstreet at an early date, and they would be further communicated with. Cr Gapper thought the residents of the centre of tho town should enter

into an agreement with the Mayor and guarantee him the payment of the expense of bringing in his water supply. . That was tho idea first mooted, and then it was pushed on to the Council, who were asked to oxpend a sum of £2OO up above the railway. Cr Muirby permission withdrew his motion, and the Mayor's motion was put and canied, Tlie Cowil thon adjourned,

Wairarapa North County Coucil, Engineer's Report.

I have the honor herewith to,lay before you my report for the lust month on the Public Works of tho County as follows—

Mastertok Riding, Mastertriu to »aimatu Road-Contract No 32-Work upon this Contract has been resumed, but tho continuous fluctuations in. the state of tho river prevents the possibility of continuous action, and with little prospect, for some time to come, of more favorable conditions thau those experienced during last month, the progress of the work will be very uncertain. Tie Council may however rely upon every effort being made to bring the contract to' a spoedy and satisfactory conclusion,

Waimjaifa to Camp Road—Tho broken stono has beon laid down on tho road surfaces between the borough boundary and tho terraco to the north of the County Waipoua Bridge. It. is myi ntention to lightly blind this with a fotv yards of clay so as to facilitate tho setting of tlio stone, which otherwise would be' slow' process under tlio comparatively lit/lit trafbo at this season of the year, ; ° . Castlepoint Riding. Mastetfon to Waimata Road.—ln connection with the fencing off of tho roadman's , rosorve at Rorokoko Mr Macßae has agreed to tlio Council's-proposal to erect a division fence of a less e'xpensivo character than that originally suggested; tho -Council entenui'into an undertaking to maintain ,the_ rabbit proof fencos and floodgates oil, their boundaries in an efficient stato of repair at all times during the term of their lease of 6 years. The miiterals for tho fcnco have beon delivered upon tlio ground and the.roadman has received instructions to proceed at oiice with .its erection, ' - •

•Contract Do 33 bridge construction in the Maricrapakeha Valley was completed ill n very satisfactory manner shortly after the last sitting of the Counoil and the road ro-opened to public trailio, upon tho completion of the metalling of the approaches,by the roadinau, a few days later, ■' •,

Ekotaliuna to Tonui road,-Additional assistance has been engaged dnring last month, by tho aid of which a fresh bridle track has been opened, within tho road reserve, through tho swamps on this road. Tho advantages of this will, no doubt, bo fully appreciated, by those who travel much 011 this line during this winter. Alfredton Riding—Eketahuna to Tinui road—Contract No 18, formation in tho Tiraumea District lias made indifferent progress sinco last meeting, and I foar will still occupy a considerable length of time in its completion. This delay- in finishing tho work will materially auginont tho cost of supervision, situate as it is in, tho back country, and 1 think that' during tile torin from the specified dote for, and the actual date of completion, that tho charges under this heading should bo made ayainst tho Contractors. Iho general state of this road between Eketahuna and Alfredton is highly unsatisfactory and is a fitting illustration of the amount of injury and inconvenience a wholo community may bo made to suffer by the want of forethought of ono or two individuals. 1 havo to report on iofrin?ment of sub-section (i, section 100 of tho Public Works Act by ono of the local drivers in the Alfredton district who has been sledging timber on tho Oouiity road, for tho supply of tho Contractors on tho Tawati'a district, and to ask tho Council what action, if any, shall be takeu in in connection with the matter so as 'to preventthe possibility of its re-currence. Opaki to Maiiawatu road,—The repairs to the bridges in Pahiatua Biding have been completed by. Mr Reese, and instruction given to tho roadman in reference to tho culverts, complained -of by the Toivn Hoard. In the matter of the. side drains I advised Mr Sedcolo (the Hoard's clerk), that though tho Comity Couucil had no funds of their own available for the purpose suggested by tho Town Board, thby would olForno obstruction to tho Board performing anyjworks they may require, and which are calculated to improve the road within the limits of the township boundaries provided tho costs of such works are paid out of their own funds. In connection with tho Council's gravel reserve at Eketahuna I would brim? under tho notice of the Council the wholesale use being mado by the general public of the limited supply of road material and to suggest that notico be posted cautioning them against a contiiiuaucoof this practwo, and failing this having the desired effect, that action bo taken in future against persons removing ravel from tho reserve without special authority from tho Council, For tho purpose of private use a irood supply can bo obtained from the bed of the Makehihi river for a little additional cost in haulage, and if permission is sought, and care takeu that no priyate interests are jeopardised in removing the material I think the Council would be justified in (jrantiug freo access to this unlimited source of supply. lam&s, 0, E. Bremner,