The Albert-street Hoodgate.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4286, 28 November 1892, Page 2

The Albert-street Hoodgate.

(To the Editor of the Wairarapa Daily Times). Sib,—ln your issim of last Friday, a letter appeared bearing thesigni ture of "B. Hounslow, Captain of the Volunteer Fire Brigade and Firo Inspector," If tlie letter was a correct version of what took place at the floodgate in Albert-street on the night of the late lire, there would be no necessity forme to rnply, Captain Houuslow states that the screwing up of the gate by Mr Carey caused no delay, as one of his Brigade who lived near the scene of fire went to the gate and freed it, and after doing so went and met the engine, This, j3ir, is what I object to, as it is not a correct version, The gate was certainly freed by Fireman Lwgloy, of the Volunteer Brigado; but it was done with an axe, and that axe was obtained from the engino which had arrived at the gate and wis backed in before the obstruction watremoved. There is no doubt that a further delay would have ocourred bad it not been for the foresighfc displayed by Fireman Langley who, after a oloso examination, found out what was preventing the gate from closing. As it was, a few valuable minutes were lost as the Jubilee was ready to start before the water rose high enough to cover the rose of the suction hose, and after she did start, the suction was drawing air for some little time. It seems to me that Captain Hounslow jumped into tho breach to defend Mr Carey because the members of the Municipal brigado objected to that gentleman interfering with tho water supply intended for fire prevention. Captain Houuslow also objects to your report qf the fire wherein you pay that the

Municipal brigade had water on two minutes before the Yoluntim Ho would only mako it two seconds, hutit is ill my opiniun h question tliat t):e publiccan decide better than a fireman and I safely leave it to the publio who were present at the fire,—Ee uiuining Sir, I Yoyrs Obediently, Herbert T, Marsh,, Secretary Municipal Fire Brigade.