THE FIRE COMMITTEE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 43, 1 November 1851, Page 6

THE FIRE COMMITTEE.

What has become of the Fire-Committee ? —what are they doing ?—are questions asked by every one whose mind reverts at all to the subject. Buildings of frail and perishable materials, some of them inflammable in the highest degree, are springing up around us. It seems almost to rain houses. The town is enlarging itself on every side. To take preventive measures against the attacks of fire, so much to be dreaded, yet so constantly fimpending, a body of men was delegated by their fellow-townsmen in July last, and with them accordingly rests a heavy civic responsibility. They appear to have performed somewhat of the task assigned to them. An engine shed has been erected, and buckets, and certain other apparatus provided. A night watchman has been appointed, supported by the contributions of the principal property-holders in the centre of the town. And we understand that, fearing to risk the apparent uncertainty attending the building of a fire-engine here, they have taken steps to procure one from Sydney, probably of greater efficiency, and at less cost than one of home manufacture. They have also performed the important service of classing the inhabitants in brigades, and delegating to one man in each brigade the task of calling the rest together, for the election of a leader, and the details of organization. Here we fear the progress of this eminently necessary and useful undertaking terminates. The brigades are still un-organized, and in the event of a conflagration, the assistance the inhabitants could render would be consequently trifling compared with what might be accomplished by a disciplined body of men, under leaders who knew their parts. For instance, the idea of the Fire Committee was, that all the Carpenters should be drafted into a separate

brigade, in which their powers would be directed towards the pulling down of houses, cutting away of rafters, &c, &c, while any one could act as a drawer of water, or perform the less skilful parts of the general work.

We do not, however, affirm that the Committee have done all their work. They ought still to hold regular meetings, and keep the reins of affairs in their own hands. They should urg« constantly and earnestly the performance of the colonists' part. But we think they have got through enough of their task to shift much of the responsibility to the shoulders of the townsfolk in general, and of those they have delegated to organize fire-brigades, in particular. If those townsfolk suffer, therefore, from the ravages of fire, they must themselves bear the blasue. Meanwhile, we hope we shall hear from time to ' time of the existence, and further energetic operations of the Fire Committee ; we hope that the sluggishness or indifference of others may not tempt them either to shrink from the office they have undertaken, or sleepily to drag through its details.