CASUALTIES BY FIRE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 30, 2 August 1851, Page 5

CASUALTIES BY FIRE.

The Fire Committee met on Wednesday last, to adopt a report for presentation at the public meeting which had been called for seven o'clock on the same evening. This report embodied an [ account of their proceedings, similar to that given in former numbers of this paper, and recommended that a comparatively small committee should be at once formed to carry out the suggestions they were enabled to make, such committee to consist of permanent residents in the town, and to be empowered to collect subscriptions, and make all the necessary arrangements. The appointment of a surveyor j was again recommended, and on the sub-com-i mittee appointed for the purpose reporting that they had held repeated conversations with Mr. Smeaton, and also seen a drawing of the engine prepared by him, and that they believed him to be capable of executing his tender for a fire .engine, such opinion was also embodied in the | general report. It was also stated that tenders for the supply of fire buckets had been received, together with samples—the discussion of the merits of which was left to the permanent committee when appointed. A suggestion was added to the effect that it would be advisable to correspond with Messrs. Hervey, Johnston and Co, atWellington, in order to ascertain whether that firm could make arrangements to extend to this town an Agency of the Fire Insurance Company in London for which they are now agents in Wellington. This report was accordingly submitted at the meeting of subscribers afterwards, and the Com r -mittee -resigned-their office. Mr. Fitzgerald was then called to the chair.; ', It was resjlved, on the motion of M;r, CompI

ton, seconded by Mr. Wakefield, that MessrsAlport, Bichard Beamish, John Bannister, W. Collier, William Taylor, and Davis be the permanent Fire Committee.

Some conversation upon the measures most likely to prove available then ensued—in the course of which Mr. Polhill described the organization of fire brigades in some parts of France —consisting of a volunteer company, well drilled and practised, and one paid serjeant, to arrange the watches during the night and other services expected from the members. Mr. Yorlce advocated the formation of reservoirs, which would answer the double purpose of a supply of water in cases of fire, and also for the general wants of the townsfolk , he also adverted to the practice by many persons in building, of carrying a rafter into the chimney for support, and expressed himself favourable to the appointment of a surveyor, who might be required to superintend or examine into tli« erection of chimnies. with a view to prevent imperfect and dangerous construction. It was suggested, however, that these were details for the consideration of the permanent committee; who would take every opportunity of meeting together, and deciding on the best and surest preventive measures.

The meeting then separated.