The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1888. Fire Prevention.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 3078, 10 December 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1888. Fire Prevention.

• The efforts madcMu Masterton during the past few years to prevent fires entitle tho town to a reduction of insuraneo premiums instead of an , increase. There was.a time when the annual losses sustained by Insurance Companies in this town exceeded the annual receipts; but it is pretty well known that of late the position has been reversed, and the premiums have amounted to a much greater Bum than the claims for compensation, Masterton has done a good deal towards securing the safety of the town : its Brigade appliances are ten times more effective than formerly; the Borough byjaws for regulating, building material are more stringent; the creek, on which the engines mainly rely for water, has been fitted witl;':.\ series of dams; and additional means of fire alarm have been provided, including the appointment of a night watchman. Of-course, a running stream of water through Qucou Street would be an additional preventive measure; but this can be got in a week's lime, either with or without Mr Benall's aid, jf Jhe business men of the town would only aot iustead of talk. It is possible that some fiutjier security against fires might be obtained by another revision of the building regulations, and on this point a Wauganui contemporary argues that Fires generally occur inside or under buildings, and what we have to consider is whether Municipal Councils should not make regulations to substitute lath and plaster in buildings in the heart of tho town for tho dangerous scrim, and paper, and whether,, buildings should not rest on foundations of brick or ■ concrete brought up to a foot above the ground." Of course it is unreasonable to expect fire proof buildings in a colony like New Zealand at a reasonable cost, but it is quite evident that iu a centre lijw Queen street very many structures 'could lie jpp.de partially fire proof fit a very smp t?pst j;y being rendered incouibiistiblo' 'from'"'llie inside, 'which' is practically where'all faesflfifjinajft. .But it'may well bo asked what is jfie pa pf the Borough Council or of private citjzens taking step? \o prevent fires if the Insurance Companies purciie .the absurd policy of raising premiums h mgey.ess.ened risks'', Xt-Ii Hot nt all exaggerating the position-towliliat the coin* •Masterton and.; discouraging, rather than encouraging private and public efforts made in their interests.. If, lioweajf, the Insurance Companies are prepared to deal fairly with this community, arrangements might be made for rendering .both and exteviars. of, buildings less combustible than they '.are at present; 'Hie Batik, of-New South; Wales at Wangariui, it,is said, to able to resist at a recait £cei"a.scorching ijiime ;nainly in ' oonsetjueiice of the

walls b6i i jjg s»)ittecl Poi i its of th is kiud ■ might well ibo considered by municipal councils,^tho companies wilhvorit with,then* to miniinisso the losses' By firo, \'No.-doubt it may be snid that (kiiing tlie:pasl'ye»ivor;twb lmvo.sustained'very heavy, losses from incendiarism conscqueut upon injudicious insurances and hard timfjs, biitwe do not believe that Mastorton lias contributed very largely to this species of loss or can fairly be mulcted in a heavy penalty onthis'aceouht. .'..->.■

The Mastorton School Committee, on Saturday afternoon agreed to the request of to appoint, Mr H, W. Jackson as.Mr W, T, Grundy's successor. ' The protest ''previously made by the. Committee ..against 1 the Board arbitrarily filling vacancios without giving committees the option of a choice, was a very proper one, but there were obvious reasons in tho present instance why the objection raised by the. Committee should not be pushed 100 far, We are. quite sure that the prestige of 'the Musterton school will .bo. safe in the hands of MrH. W. Jackson, 1 and that in losing Mr Grundy we we, fortunate in obtaining so capable it headmaster a his successor,