THE LATE FIRE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1743, 19 February 1863, Page 5

THE LATE FIRE.

To the Mitor of the Daily Soufliein Orau. Siß^^n the occasion" of the recent great fire, a • number; of galvanised iron and American buck' „ at*, amounting in value to $6 (}*'„ were borrowed from my shop, fronting the Brunswick Hall, by

various 1 parties, for tne purpose 'of ' supplying'; water to the engines. But which have not since* been- returned. Having applied to the insurance companies for payment, they inform mo they are willing to pay upon my obtaining Captain Daldy's (tho superintendent of the fire brigade) certificate to tho fact that they' wore expended ; and on my application to that gentleman, he refuses to g>ve me one, on the ground that he has no knowledge of tho matter, or gave no order for them. And thus it appears 1 am to lose the price of them. Now, sir, this is not as it (should be. la it to be rendered necossary before any, storekeeper in possession of an article which may bo of service in extinguishing a fire, should deliver it for such purpose, should require a writton order, or m the alternative refuse it ? Why tho person who acted in such a manner would' bo held \ip to public execration by his fellow± citizens. Is he then, acting under pressure of circumstances, to lose his property ? I think it should not bo so. Tho insurance companies, notwithstanding their lossos, pay largo dividends to their shareholders, and pay all the larger according to property saved from a fire ; but should all contribute to swell the funds of these companies, at each individual's private expense? This is most unjust. It may bo right that orders and authorities may bo necessary in ordinary and quiet commercial transactions, but in extraordinary times, and in great confusion, it is too much to ask. Do you not think, sir, that in such a caso, a statutory declaration as to the value and expenditure of the g^oods supplied would moot its justice, as it is found to do in many other and more important ones. Trusting you wilt insert tin's in your valuable journal, as it is a matter affecting the whole of the community, and thai, seriously, — T am yours, &v. Philip Levy, Queen-street, opposite Brunswick Kail. Auckland, February 1(5, 1863.