PUBLIC MEETING, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1031, 1 February 1879, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING, CAMBRIDGE.

FORMATION OF FiaE BRIGADE. A. MEETANQ was held at Cambridge m the Public Hall on Monday I nut, to consider the advisability of forming a fi ro brigade and salvage corps. There was a large attendance, fifty or six'y persons being present. Mr Thomas "Wells was vo'ed to the chair, and having read the advertisement convening; the meeting, mado a few ivmarks as to the importance of having an organised body such as it was proposed to constitute, m c-ise of fire, us, with wooden buildings and little or no water, the des' ruction to property would be enormous m a township like Cambridge, if a contt igration broke out m any p»rt, e<>ec<ftlly m Duke-street, where the stores and shops were so close together Mr A.. Isaccs brought forward the first resolution, " Tha f . it U advissible to form both a salvage coi-pan I fire brigade m Cambridge, an i tint the meeting pledges i-self m as i.-it m raising an! maintaining ho said corps snd tire brigade." Mr Lawrence s^con-led. Carried. Mr "Reid asked if the Insurance Offie-'S had offered any assistance to the fire brigade. The Chairman read m reply to a letter to Mr Hully, from the New Zealand Insurance Company : New Zealand Insurance Company, Auckland, 25th January, 1879. Dear Sir, — In reply to your favor of the 22nd instant, I have no doubt that this Company will contribute, pro rttta, with other Insurance Companies interested, towards the maintenance of a Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps, provide! the inhabitants bear a fair proportion of the cost thereof. I fail to see. m the absence of water, what use a fire brigade would be, but would strongly recommend some six or eight iron buckets being kept m, Jamos Hally, Esq., Cambridge, say two or threo central spots, always filled with water, ready for immediate use; also, a small hand engine (babyengine) should be obtained. The Salvage Corps would only benefit the insured. Our experience prove* that, m nine cases out of ten, though the ' greater part of the stock may be saved, the claim is for tho full amount insured. — I am, &c, Geo. P. Pierce, Geaeral Manager. Mr Houghton, on behilf of ih> South British Insnrace Comuany, said he had no doubt the Company would d f their share towards the object m view. He had heard that there were semal engines m Auck. lau4 vow tying ty. Que oi t^e

engines could most probably be obtained. The other Insurances had not l>oen wd «,| uf)on Hie Cuiiinmn then read the 101 l >win g | H , tor ; O M r I B . iacs from Air Hu^li 8t Siperinendent of the A c<K d Fii-H BroaderAuckland, January 26, 1870. Dear Sir, -I have great ploasure m fot ™iing the enclosed rules, whioh you will find of service, m forming a Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps. I called on Capt. Butter, and asked him for a topy of rules, &c, belonging to hia Oorpa, and he informed me that Mr Baardtnan had applied to him for them, a^id he understood Mr Boardman wanted them, to send to Cambridge. If such is not the case, please let me know, and I will obtain them for you. If any further information i 8 required re engine, reels, hose, &0., let me know, and it will be a pleasure to me to forward the information required. Hoping soon to hear that the men of Cambridge have united themselves under one head, for that heroic and noble duty; the saving of life, extinction of tires, and protection of property.— l am, &c, John Hughes, Superintendent Auokland Fire Brigade. - ut -\ Mr A. Isaaos, Cambridge. " * Mr Camp then proposed that a cominitee consisting of Messrs Lawrence. Isaacs, Keesing, Richardson and Keid be ippointed to canvass the township to obtiim members for the fire brigade and salvage corp-«, and >s'het) twenty members are obtaiued, the committe to call a meeting to elect officers and enroll the corps and biigade. Mr Houifh'on seconded, and the m » ion was carried. The question of *ater w.hß then brought before the meeting. The Chairman real the following letter he had received from Captain Lind-av : — Ngaruawahia, January 28, 1879. Dear Sir, — In answer to yours, re water Bupply to Cambridge, from outlet of Lake, you omitted to mention the speed of the water per hour, and the height to be lifted. I estimate thu« :— Fall, 20 feet ; volume, 12x3; Hp«ed of water, three miles per hour; height to be lifted, 160 feet; 800 galloua per hour , at a coat of £200, by water-wheel and pumps. This conveys the water into thio , cistern enly, irrespective of oo«t of cistern and pipes through the town. There are many ways, but thin is the bent ami cheapest ; waterraces would not *uit well for the large quantity required, and steam-power would | cost the name, an I be more expensive to Keep up. If it m required to do thiß very neeea- ; sarr work, I will, if required, take j meaiurnmtfnt-i, and sfive full particulars jof the work rei-iirel to be done.— -I am, Thjs. W«U\ E g. T er« w*s xntne discunsion on the qi'^tioii of w.ir^r fr mi the lake, but t w-w no r -.tppm't-d if, -is the wa;tjr is u»ifi ? f»r h >nsehoid (.iii'jKJses. Mr Dicli'irdnon thmi sip jeered his soheuie tn th« msetiny, v z, a well sh >u!d Up ?,U!i!, on the upper flat aboat 80 feet deep, where th«r«? was a certainty of find* ing good w»fc;ir, th« aame as fcbat from tho well a* iltwsrs Haliy's brewery. tfroniMtatweilthesupply of wfttrfir is vary large*, as oo amount of oamyjincf cm reduce the wj»r.er more dmn isin-b-*H. \ >-nd pumping mill «rim'-i draw '?;« wat,.« r from the «rf>!| and fl'l ■* c stersi 30 feet m di-mi-'iM', 5 tout deep, :ind hold 2200 ■.rtiJons. The pu » t p throw l0(i0 yiUonsH hoir«nd p pea be laid on r o U*e o*n-hij>. Lf 30 people won.'d i^iiiria!"e *o p j .y f>r not less 'nan 100 billon* a lay nt fourpenoe iv^r e^'lon for five years he would undortake to fin-1 some one to carry oat the scheme. This wonld supply the lower part of the township, and lo vo a reserve of fifteen or twenty thousand gallons or more. After some further discussion, Mr Camp proposed and Mr Keeg aecon* <Ud that if practicable water should be brought to tho town, the C.imbrinije fown Board be requested feo take action m the matter at on«&^ This motion was curried, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meetiugf dispersed.