THE FIRE BRIGADE MOVEMENT.

No one will deny the urgent necessity that exists for the establishment of an efficient fire brigade in Nelson. There are two good engines in town; but there is nobody to work them ; and, as was shown last night at the joint meeting of the Board of Works and the Eire Insurauce agents, when any one attempts to work them, there is a chance of blundering through ignorance of the machinery and its uses, as for example the fact of the pliant delivery-pipe being used as a suction-pipe, and collapsing and causing a collapse of the water supply to the engine. It is a pity that Mr. W. C. Hodgson, the Captain of the Voluuteers and gue of the insurance agents, was absent from last evening's meeting, and it is surprising that none of those present knew anything of an arrangement which has been made with tho Rifle Voluuteers, by which a volunteer fire brigade had been formed; and indeed already exists; because we learn that about twenty-five members have already subscribed their names to a document binding themselves to act in that capacity. We understand further that the Government on being applied to had agreed to place the engine in the charge of this body of volunteers and of their captain, Mr. Hodgson, and to maintain it in an e/ficieut condition. Something also was arranged respecting the police constables, and rules for working were put on paper. It might, perhaps, be well for the committee appointed last night to ascertain what all these arrangements really were, and to endeavor to secure the aid of the volunteers, who, as drilled men accustomed to obey orders, would prove of great assistance at a fire. By the joint action of the Board of Works and the agents we hope shortly to see matured a scheme which will place a reliable fire brigade at the service of the public. The question of a supply of water for the fire engines is closely allied to that of a fire brigade. We would remind the joint committee and the Provincial Government of the proposal of having reservoirs at certain places in the town; and direct them to the notice, copied in our last publication from a Canterbury paper, which shows how admirably a similar plan is found to work iv Christchurch.