Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1895. THE HAWERA FIRE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5118, 31 August 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1895. THE HAWERA FIRE.

The Huwera fire resulting in the sacrifice of two lives, .destruction of fclio business centre of the town, tbo loss of public buildings and private properties estimated fit a value of forty thousand pounds, is a calamity which will naturally excite much interest and sympathy throughout the Colony, Here in Masterton it comes almost as a warning, for we understand that the main cause of the unusual extent of tbo catastropho is a deficient watersupply. In Hawera, it is said, there are nothing but wells to depend upon, and bo when a fire once makes headway it is very difficult to stop it, Wo have urged this view in Masterton for somo years past when we have advocated a high pressure service, the only efficient water supply that can be relied upon in case of a conflagration. It is only about fifteen years ago that a fire occurred in Masterton which destroyed'every building lying between the Post Office and, Porry-street, but this, though ft very serious catastrophe, was on a much smaller scalo than the one recorded at Hawera in our last issue. The point is this, that there is no immunity from disastrous conflagrations in towns constructed mainly of wood, unless; there is a high-pressure water supply.! Sufih a service could probably be! i Secnred in this town by the expendi- j [to p£ five thousand pounds, and yet |

the people of the town take the risk of a fire that might sweep away ten,

twenty, or even fifty thousand pounds worth of property, sooner than protect themselves,by a very modest outlay, the interest on which would bo absolutely recouped by a reduction in fire insurance premiums. Masterton happens to be a town that can be easily and economically served with a high-pressure water supply, and there is no otfcuse for us being without one. What has taken place at Hawera may any day happen in this town, and it is idle to suppose that our Brigades, however efficient they may be, could cope with a running conflagration without the aid of high-pressure water.