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Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 794, 21 November 1865, Page 2

The Volunteer Fire Brigade has good reason for complainmg of the illiberal manner in which the Cit}’- Council has behaved towards that body ; and the citizens generally will, we are sure, feel great dissatisfaction at the conduct of the Municipal authorities. Considering that the only protection against the ravages of fire which the city possesses depends on the voluntary exertions of the Fire Brigade, one would have supposed that the City Council would have endeavored as much as possible to encourage and support the Brigade. But it appears that the Civic authorities entertain a different opinion, and consider the value of the Brigade as a public institution, not sufficient to justify a paltry grant of £173. We are, however, convinced that the citizens will unanimously disapprove of the miserable covetousness of the City Council; they are too much indebted to the Fire Brigade for the protection of their lives and property to sanction the illiberal and stingy policy dealt out to that brave body of men. Tire Brigade was perfectly right in applying to the City Council tor pecuniary assistance, and no other considerations but those of amount and ability to give should have been allowed to influence the granting of the request. To couple with the advance the condition of handing over the entire plant of the Brigule, conveyed a direct insult which we are glad to find the Brig de has the spirit to resent. And the course adopted by the Brigade is the proper one : a public meeting is the best method of settling the difficulty, and we think will result in compelling the City Council to act towards the Fire Brigade in a spirit ox liberality. Tae liabilities of the Brigade have been incurred in the public service, and the citizens are morally bound to liquidate them, and place the finances of the B.igade in a condition that wall ensure efficiency. The City Council is supposed to represent the citizens, and if at the ensuing public meet! ig the opinion of the inhabitants is elicited, the City Council is bound to bow to it.