The Ashburton Guardian. MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1892. SUBURBAN FIRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2842, 7 December 1892, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1892. SUBURBAN FIRES.

The alarm of fire at Tinwald on Saturday set a good many residents of that weil-ordered township thinking of what would be the consequences should fire break out in some more closely built part of the town. The Ashburton fire prevention and extinction plant is the property of the borough, and is not allowed to be taken outside the borough unless a guarantee is first received for the cost of the service and against any damage,that the plant might sustain while called out. This regulation, we believe, applies to Allenton and Hampstead as well as Tinwald. The suburban districts as wellastha Borough have enjoyed a general immunity from fires which cannot be expected to continue for ever, and it is of little us» waiting until a fire has taken place before making provisions for extinguishing if-. As regards Hampatead and Allenton we hold the opinion that their proper course lies in incorporation ,with the Borough. We believe that the extremely liberal offer which the Borough made to Hampstead a couple of years ago is still open, and no doubt Allenton would be admitted on similarly I liberal conditions, and thus the advantages of the Borough's water supply, fire brigade, reserves, etc., would be obtained over the whole of the populous district on the north side of the river. Tinwald, however, is a long way off, and local arrangements for fire prevention should be made there. The cost would not be heavy. A curricle engine with hose ! and all necessary appliances could be obtained for £100, and water is now available at nearly every point in the town district where it would be required. The insurance companies would probably contribute towards the cost and also reduce the insurance 1 rates, so that the expenditure would be indirectly repaid to the ratepayers. We recommend the matter to the consideration of the Town Board, and are sure that any information that they may require will be gladly supplied by the Engineer of the Ashburton Brigade. -