Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1867. FIRE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 860, 23 July 1867, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1867. FIRE.

It again becomes our duty to" call public attention to the condition of Napier as regards its means of preparation for fire. In, a wooden town, there is something fearfully appalling in the midnight cry of fire. Fire may break out at any moment, in the least suspected looality ; and its effects may be devastating in the extreme. A great deal depends upon promptitude of action, and upon means and appliances being immediately available. So far as action is concerned, Napier has men who need yield to none in energetic action and in experieuce of what should be done in such emergencies ; but, as regards appliances, we oan only say that they are wretched in the extreme — so much so, that thousands of pounds worth of property may be swept away in a night without (in certain localities) any effort being possible to arrest the devouring element. The fault, we are certain, is" not with the townsmen. We remember attending a meeting of the Fire Brigade, at which a very good feeling was manifested by the men themselves, but they were evidently dispirited by want of countenance and assistance on the part of the Insurance Companies and the Government. The engine — a small one and with little power — might yet be made useful if well attended to ; but the Brigade has no funds, and everything is out of repair. The men worked well and practised regularly till spured by neglect on the part of those who should have encouraged them by every means in their power. It is evident that this state of things canuot continue without great danger to the community ; but it is equally evident that if the lusurance Companies and the Government stand aloof, the townsmen will have little if any heart for the work of organization, so vitally necessary. We trust, however, that neither party will longer be open to the reproach of indifference in such a matter, and that a public meeting will soon be called for the purpose of putting the Napier Fire Brigade upon a satisfactory footing.