THE LATE FIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1257, 20 July 1880, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE.

Public Meeting. A public meeting, for the purpose of expressing sympathj'- with Messrs Cochi\ine and Swarm and to consider the best means of preventing a recurrence of the lite disaster, was held at G Wynne's Hotel, on Saturday afternoon. There were about 'SO gentlemen present, and Mv W. Cumming was voted to the' chair. The Chairman opened the proceedings by reading the requisition in the "Waikato Times calling the meeting. He then called upon any of the gentlemen present to bring forwaid any resolution. They were all deeply interested in hhecting the charge home to some one. He had no doubt that the late fire was the work of an incendiary ; the matter of the bellows clearly pointed to this. It was an act of great maliciousness, and nono of them were safe while a person capable of doing such a thing exi-ted in the community and was at large. Mr K. Hill moved the first resolution, which was as follows: — "That in the opinion of this meeting the sympathy of the inhabitants of the district with Messrs Cochrane and Swarm, in their late heavy losses, should take the form of assisting them to replace the building \ recently maliciously destroyed, and that a subscription list be now opened for that | purpose. Services in the shape of carting will be cheerfully received to carry out the object." He was sure that if any of those present had sustained losses like Messrs Cochrane and Swarm, they would be glad of some assistance. It was their duty to show the perpetrators, of such crimes as they were aware of. that they would not be allowed to commit a wrong without some interest being taken in the condition of the injured parties. The resolution was seconded -by Dr Beale, and earned unanimously. Mr McLernon said he had been requested to move the following resolution, with the spirit of which they would all agree : — "That this meeting is of opinion that the late fire at Messrs Cochrane and 'Swarm 's did not occur through accident, and that the Insurance Companies and the community should be called upon to offer a reward of £200, or as much as is subscribed to be paid to any party or parties who will give information sufficient to convict the guilty person or persons. ' ' Mr L. O'Neill seconded this. Mr J. K. McDonald thought they should petition the Government to offer a reward. It was the duty of the Government to discover the guilty party or parties. On the suggestion of the chairman, Mr McDonald agreed to make his suggestion in the form of a separate resolution, and the resolution moved by Mr McLernon was then put and carried unanimously. Mr J. Knox moved :—": — " That a Committee of the following gontlemen be appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting : Messrs. Hume, Laishlcy, Curuuiiug, McLeiiwii) Mv^es, Gwyune,

Hill, Dawsou, LeQuesne, Small, Vialou, and McDonald with power to add to thennumber." He said the Committee he proposed was not strictly a vigilance committee, but the members could, if it were thought desirable, act as such. He had seen such things done in the early days of the Victorian gold fields. Then a scoundrel t-uch as he who set fire to the premises of Messrs Cochrano and Swarm, would, if caught, have been strung up to the nearest tree. There was no doubt that it was the work of one person ; had there been more, the standing reward offered by the Government would have been too much for human nature. He would be inclined to give the party, if they found him, a shift and a long rope. The Chairman said he quite agreed with Mr Knoxs sentiment, though it was not strictly legal. (A laugh ) The resolution was seconded by Mr Gwynne, and carried unanimously, Mr J. K. McDonald moved the following; — "That the Government be communicated will through our Member?, asking them to offei reward for the apprehension of the miscreant or miscreants vrho set fire to the premises of Messrs, Cochrane and Swarm." He thought it was high time the individual was arrested. He had no doubt that in the Jcourse ,of time he would be ; the sooner the better. It was a slur upon the community that such a wretoh was amongst them. He was not inclined to go in for lynching, but at the same time he did not know any torture which cuuld be too severe to inflict on such a scoundrel, who ever lie might be. The resolution was seconded by Mr O'Neill, and earned unanimously. Mr Sandes moved — "That the local Insurance agents be requested to forward the resolutions of this meeting to the insurance offices, asking them to take action in the matter of subscribing to a reward fund." Mr J. K. McDonald seconded the resolution. The Mayor (Dr Beale) introduced the subject of a Fii'e Brigade for Hamilton, and read the correspondence which had passed between the Borough Conucil and the various Insurance Companies. After some considerable discussion on the subject, the following resolution, moved by the Mayor, and seconded by Mr Vialou, was carried: — ''That it is highly desirable that a Fire Breg.ide or Salvage Corps be established in connection with the Volunteer Corps or otherwise." Mr McDonald moved, " That those willing to enrol themselves as a Fire Brigiide be now called upon to sign their names.'' Mr Mcl'herson having seconded the resolution, it was carried ; and several gentlemen put down their names as willing to become members of the proposed brigade. During the meeting 1 two subscription lists were handed round. The first, to assist Messrs Cochrane and Swarm, was subscribed to the amount of £1G in the room ; and the other, for the purpose of raiding a reward fund, to £GO. The meeting then separated.