THE FIRE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14610, 18 February 1908, Page 8

THE FIRE.

I Some nuisance has arisen owing to the stagnation of water in some of the cellars of the buildings destroyed in the recent fire. Yesterday morning one of tho steam-engines was put to work to pump out the cellar of Freeman's, to , stop tho nuisance. to the editor. Sir, —As a ratepayer and one who takes some interest in the management of fire brigade and municipal matters, will you permit me, through the medium' of your columns, to express a hope that the inquiry proposed to he held will be a thorough one, taking all matters relating to the fire into its consideration, not only the cause or origin of the fire, the state of the buildings, the water supply, and so on, but also the management of the brigade, tho utilisation of the water, etc.? One remark of the chairman of tho Fire Board is not at all reassuring read along with tho decision at which tho Beard arrived. " Ho was diffident about asking for an inquiry," the report runs, " especially as little could be learned from it." I, and a great many more, think, if a thorough investigation is made (not a lop-sided one), that a great deal is to be'earned about it. Reasons ad infinitum can bo adduced why an exhaustive inquiry should be held, but for the present I forbear.—l am, etc.. AN OLD FIREMAN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Like a great many more I made my way to tho" fire on the evening of February 6. I got on the ground about fifteen minutes after the alarm sounded, and I heard a great many remarks not verv complimentary to someone, such as,' " Why was not the Sydenham water supply made use of from opposite the Excelsior Hotel at the commencement of operations?" It is understood that there" is a fairly good supply from that source. Another thing much remarked on was the failure to send the railway engine to the river at first. Had it gone there it could have given three arood branches without any danger of the supply giving out. If a littlo less powerful they would have been continuous. The Deluge would then have had the 95,000 gallons all to itself. Tho Extinguisher had a very good supply from the tank in High Street, and tho St Albans engine when working was well supplied from the cellar under tho Cafe The hand engine, which I understand the Brigade possesses, could have been supplied from Warden s premises and would have done very good work'l should think.—l am. etc., "INTERESTED.