The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPT. 15, 1887. The Late Fire

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 37, 15 September 1887, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPT. 15, 1887. The Late Fire

It is with feelings of regret we place •n record the calamitous fire which occurred yesterday morning in Fergusson street, whereby a large amount of valuable property was utterly destroyed, and two industrious young business men subjected to heavy losses which will take years to recover from. It is needless for us to say they have the cordial sympathy of everyone, more especially Mr Haybittle who was once before a heavy loser from the same cause. Mr Halliday is also worthy of sympathy. Although but a young settler in Feilding he had already gained the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact, not only as a respectable citizen but as a good tradesman. The whole of his stock and tools which represented his earnings and savings since he opened business here, have been swept away as he had neglected to effect any insurance on them and-aoth-ing whatever was saved from 'tlie fire. We now come to a subject on which we have written many times, on which business people and Borough Councillors have talked, but have done literally nothing. Need we say we refer to the Salvage Corps which they were nearly frightened into forming last year when the whole town was encircled with flames from bush and grass fires. Had such a corps as contemplated, then been in existence yesterday morning, the whole oi! the goods in Mr Haybittle's shop, a large part of the saddlery in Mr Halliday's, and the billiard table and fixings in Kennedy's saloon, would have been saved. In round numbers property value £1,500 instead of being wasted would still have been in existence and available for trade. What can be done by a few energetic and determined men towards the salvation of property, has already been proved in j Feilding— notably when Mr Pollock's furniture was taken from ; his house last January— so that the splendid conduct of those who assisted to remove property from the Empire Hotel yesr terday morning was not exceptional: We warn the business people again that the matter lies only in their own hands. What was Haybittle and Halliday's turn yesterday may be theirs to-morrow, for "no man knpweth what a day may bring forth." We think the Mayor and Borough Councillors should take the matter in haud whether in their collective capacity, or as simple burgesses, and do something ; not merely talk about it and express "the desirableness" of somebody else doing 1 the work.