THE LATE FIREMAN WEST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7228, 30 April 1884, Page 6

THE LATE FIREMAN WEST.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —I think, with many moro to whom I have spoken concerning the action of the City Council in the cose of the late fireman West, and two other firemen who resigned, that it is not in accordance with the wishes of the ratepayers it represents. Fireman West served the ratepayers for a term of 18 years, and during the greater part of that time hold the post of foreman of one or other of the engines. I know for a fact : that West was as daring and good a worker i as any in the Brigade. I saw him on the i morning after the fire at Inues' brewery, i and he then complained of haying caught a < severe cold, and I feel that that, fire, was i the cause of his death. I thei’efore think, ( Mr Editor, that if our City Council had ] assisted the widow with a donation of j say twenty-five pounds, the public, which i

is always ready to help the widow and orphan, would gladly subscribe to their relief, and would have been better pleased than with the action they have taken. With reference to the other two firemen, their long service to the ratepayers and general public entitles these men, when resigning on account of ill-health, to a little more than a vote of thanks.

I will not trespass on your valuable space further than to express the hope that the City Council may' yet see their way to reconsider the cases. Trusting you will publish this letter for the sake of the widow and her seven children.—l am, Ac., EX-FIREMAN. Christchurch, April 28.