PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRE COMMITTEE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 29, 26 July 1851, Page 5

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of this Committee took place on Wednesday evening, at the " Mitre" to receive the reports of the Sub-Committees. The first of these submitted what appeared to them a fair classification, of the houses in the town of Lyttelton and its immediate environs. Class A comprising all such buildings as from the nature of the business carried on. in them, the inflammable nature of their roofs, chimnies. &c, or their close contiguity to other houses, appeared to threaten the greatest degree of danger; Class B. comprising houses free from cir-'' cumstances of so great danger ; and Class C. consisting of houses which, although in many cases made of dangerousmaterials, were either so isolated, or of such inconsiderable value, that their owners--could scarcely be expected to contribute more ihan manual assistance in case of fire. It was. suggested that from the owners "of houses in the first class a , subscription might properly be expected double that from the second class. A list of volunteers, for an organized Fire Brigade was also submitted.' The second sub-committee reported-tliat, assisted by the above classification, theyhad opened three subscription lists for the different classes: which already amounted respectively to 116/. 3s. — 521 12s 6d. and4£2s., making^to'gether the promised sum of 172*. 17*, 6d.

The third sub-committee reported that the only ordinances which related to the subject were the " Raupo House Ordinance," and the "NewMunster Constabulary Ordinance." That the former prohibited the erection within the limits of any town, of any buildings composed wholly or in part of any kind of grass or straw, and imposed a prohibitory tax on those already existing. That this ordinance would come into operation within six months after its proclamation in any town. The sub-committee expressed their opinion that it would he hard towards the poorer classes to enforce the penalties of the law in all cases—but that it should be rigidly enforced in the case of all such houses as from their close neighbourhood to other buildings would endanger the safety of the town. They therefore recommended that the necessary steps should be taken to procure the proclamation of the Ordinance within this town without delay.

In the second Ordinance referred to, the Sub-com-mittee reported that there were only two. clauses which related to accidents by fire—the 10th and the 30th—the first of these imposing a fine upon any one who should set fire to the bush, scrub, or flax, or burn shavings, &c, within the limits of any town, such fine to be not more than forty, nor less than five shillings, and providing for compensation to any persons damaged thereby—the second clause empowering the Resident Magistrate to compel the repairing or rebuilding of any chimney constructed in such a manner, or of such materials, as to be dangerous. This Committee furtherrecommended that a Surveyor should be permanently appointed, whose duty it should be to report such cases, and obtain the Resident Magistrate's order for the removal of all dangerous chimnies.

The Chairman then read a tender which had been put forward by Mr. Smeaton, engineer, offering to make a fire-engine capable of forcing 40 gallons of water, from 40 to 60 feet high, per minute —and supplied with 30 feet of leather hose and copper tube, for the sum of 951. Mr. Davis and Mr. Fitzgerald were appointed a sub-committee to visit Mr. Smeaton, and ascertain whether he had all the materials and appliances at hand for making an available engine without delay. It was also resolved to advertise for tenders for fire buckets, in order to be able to lay before a meeting of subscribers every possible information; which meeting it was decided to call on Wednesday next, at seven o'clock, by advertisement in this paper.

We think it. well to defer the publication of the subscription lists to another opportunity, as there is reason to believe that they will yet receive considerable additions—the object being one in which all are so nearly interested. The endeavour of the Committee evidently has been to avoid every delay, and bring the results of their investigations before the public speedily, in consideration of the impending danger, already too long unheeded. Their work has, however, not only been done quickly, but well, and the report they will furnish on Wednesday next will be, we are convinced, of the greatest value in future operations. We hope their public spirit will be contagious, and produce much ready and earnest co-operation. ,