THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1895.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 146, 18 September 1895, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1895.

The formation of a volunteer Fire Brigade in Rotorua is a step in the right direction and one which will meet with the enthusiastic approval of every resident in the twin townships. We therefore look forward to seeing a thoroughly representative audience at the meeting convened for Saturday night in the Reading Room, prepared to lend every assistance "in their power to put. the matter on a proper basis. Mi 0, Malfroy, who will preside on the occasion, lias had considerable practical experience in the control and supervision ef such corps and Mr Ernest Davis, the convener of the meeting, took a prominent part in the organisation of the Deyonport Torpedo Corps of which lie is lieutenant. It should need, we consider, hut few words to enlist for the scheme the sympathies of the residents of a town which for many months in the year is subject to the dangers from fire engendered by a largo floating population. The movement appeals to the Manliness of I?vr>ry ynnng ji.tfilete ill the place. The work which a fireman may he at any time called upon to perform demands strength of muscle, an iron frame, a steady nerve and a stout heart, and the muster roll of a brigade demanding these qualities ought to iill rapidly in a community so disposed to athletic displays. The excitement of the football field is but. child's-play compared to the stern contest with fire which the members may at any time be called to enter on. Young as this community is it has suffered at various times by conflagration, and it is reasonable to assume that had a properly organised brigade been in existence not one tenth part of the damage would have been wrought. It. is true that we have not had the same dire calamity to record as was recently witnessed at Hawera where human lives wore sacrificed, but it is equally true that without any properly organised means of fighting' the flames we know not at what moment we may be called upon to chronicle a similar disaster. In the discussion of the details of a project so manifestly designed to save life aiul property there should not ho an absent voice.