FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15488, 14 December 1910, Page 5

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

(From the "Lyttelton Times" of "Wednesday, December 12, ]S(iO.)

At about a quarter-past seven o Monday morning tho town of Christ church was aroused by the tones of th ! tirebell rttaehed to the engineliotisc a Messrs Cookson, Bowler and Co.' store. The cause of alarm was a fir which had broken out on the premise of Mr Howarth, Hereford Street, i large gorse hedge surrounding th garden having been, it is supposed maliciously set lire to by a lad. Ii less than "ten minutes twenty-three ou of twenty-five members of the Yolun leer Fire Brigade were on the spot, am by their active exertions succeeded ii arresting the flames by destroying tin hedgo on either side of the fire. For tanatoly this accident was of no grea importance, but it has afforded satis factory proof of the zeal and activity of the brigade, than which no mon useful body exists in tho province. A\"< trust that tho number of honorary members will include before lon£ ever. 1 householder In tho town, as from tin funds thus subscribed will bo drawn tin means of supporting any of the mem hers who may meet with serious acci dents in the prosecution of there dutie: they have so spiritedly taken on them selves. The engine, on this occasion wa: under repair, but is now in working order again, and in a short time tin brigade will be equipped in uniform consisting cf blue tunic and trousers black belt and firemen's helmet.

Wo are given to muleisland that arrangements are now in course of progress with tha owners of the properties concerned to continue Colombo Street south in' a direct line to the junction of tho roads leading to the hays by Dyer's Pass and that along the foot of the hills to Lyttelton. This will make one of the finest streets of Christchurch, an uninterrupted drive of about four miles in length. We need not remark that this proposed alteration will confer great value uncn th? adjoining property, and the owners of the land through which the line passes will meet with the reward they so justly merit in the large frontage thus given to the sections. We hope scon to be in a position to assure our readers that this desirable alteration lias been made.