WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3934, 16 June 1877, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(from our 1 own correspondent.) June 11, 1877 V Wellington existed for many years with-' v . out any adequate means for extinguishing^ * a fire. When fires broke out they usually burnt all before them. If a man-of-war chanced to be in the harbor it usually sent a detachment of sailors with a hose ; this often did good service. About a dozen years ago the first regular fire brigade was started by the energy of a few new arrivals ;it met with little support. The Town Gouncil gave it a grant-in-aid of £150 a year.- Now Wellington possesses two regular fire brigades. The " Central F. B." last year bought and fitted up the gymnasium in Lambtori Quay,- right ie the centre of the town ; the building iscapacious. On entering, to the left vf& see a pair of well-groomed grey hofsesy always harnessed ready for action. In the* rest of the building are the fire engines and other appliances. At the back of this large hall is a reading-room for the members. On the table lie many papers and periodicals ; the walls are ornamented by gay banners. A member sleeps on the : premises, and keeps watch all day. ' About half a mile from this in Te Aro is the striking-looking building of the Wellington Fire Brigade. It was finished last mouth. The brigade rent the ground from / the Corporation at a merely nominal rent- i for 40 years. It also receives ai grant-in-* aid of £150 per annum. The ArmedConstabulary have a machine at their* barracks in the further end of Te Aro., and have an organised brigade. They draw their own engine, but are very smart, and often do a great deal of good. The men in the " Wellington" and " Central" are very well trained. Sailors ares chosen for these brigades rather than landsmen because they are active in climbing, and are ready for any difficulty. The excellent London Fire Brigade, under Captain Shaw, consists almost entirely of old man-of-war's men. Last year the* Wellington Fire Brigade very pluckily^T sent a detachment all the way to Baßaratj, to compete against the crack Australians . teams. They "worked admirably, an<3 brought home a prize. In the centre of the town, just above the Court-house is the central fire-bell look-out station. Another bell has recently been put up in the grounds of Parliament House, and a third at Te Aro. The moment either the Te Aro 1 or Thorny don bell rings the central joins in with its deep tones. Instantly the sound reaches: the fire brigade station, the man in chaige 5 puts in the shafts the well trained ancl ready-harnessed horses, and within three minutes away goes the engine and firemen : at full gallop. It is always very exciting to watch their quick movements. The horses are harnessed to a light but strong waggon, which has seats for 8 or 10 men. Tied behind this waggon is the fire engine: and hose. Everything is always kept ia perfect working order, and both brigades gallop to a fire and set the engine to" work ; no hitch ever occurs. Usually there is an abundant supply of water at high pressure. Last year, when the Empire Hotel was burnt, the three brigades were engaged for an hour and a half, and it is said half a million gallons of water were poured on the flames. All the arrangements of the brigades are excellent. Unfortunately a fire often gets a firm hold before its flames can be seen by the man at the look-out. If earlier means of communication were obtainable disasters from fire would be much less. The fire-bell rings about once a fortnight. Nothing so startles a new arrival in Wellington as the sound of the fire-bell ; but he soon grows callous, and learning from the bell ringing that the fire is in a different ward, turns himself to sleep again. There are in Wellington no less than 14 fire insurance companies. Several do so large businesses that they are enabled to keep special oftices, and have outgrown the stage when their duties were performed occasionally by some merchant's clerk. This great competition of the offices, the excellence of the water supply, and the activity of the brigades have all combined to lower the insurance rates. An isolated dwelling-house can be insured for 25s per £100. A large warehouse in a block, 30s per £100. Hotels will run it up to 80s per £100. One or more hotels in a block will cause a great increase in the rates. Trade in Wellington has been very brisk, and house rent is enormously dear, hence fires are rarities, except in old tumble-down shanties, or in houses out of which the furniture has just been taken. Fires in these generally occur at midnight. Now and then an ineffectual inquest is held. So excellent are the brigades, and so good is the water supply, that hitherto fires have been entirely confined to the houses in which they originated, and for a considerable time past adjacent houses have been saved. If a fire occurred during a heavy wind it would carry all before it. The new building of the Wellington Fire Brigade cost £1150. It has a tower from which all the town can be seen. The brigades are supported by (1) subscriptions of the public, (2) insurance companies, (3) Corporation. Hitherto there has been much quarrelling about the shares to be paid by each, and the brigades have been treated in most niggardly style. A good active working brigade could be supported for about £300 a-year. Of the reported dissensions in the ,- Cabinet nothing is known in Wellington. A. It is believed that if ever there were quar- fc rels they have been smothered. No belief is placed in the rumor that Rolleston will join the Ministry. Unless some member resigns, there is no vacancy. Most of the Ministers are too fond of the emoluments and honors of office to dream of leaving it before they are told to go. Several of them are very even-tempered men, and would calm the fiercer spirits of their colleagues. Mr R. J. Duncan, of Wellington, is busily engaged in canvassing the Wairarapa people. He is very desirous of tacking M.H.R after his name. Another Wellington auctioneer badgered a late Minister till he Avas made a J.P. He only wanted it because it " helped him in Ins business. " Possibly Mr Duncan wishes for the M.H.R. for similar reasons. He is believed to have the support of the publicans.