BLENHEIM FIRE BRIGADE.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 242, 30 July 1870, Page 4

BLENHEIM FIRE BRIGADE.

A meeting was held in the Provincial Hall on Tuesday evening for the purpose of Brigade for Blenheim. His Worship the Mayor presided. The that in reply to a request from the Borough Council, Mr Hutcheson, the local agent for the New Zealand Fire Insurance Company, had succeeded in placing an engine at the disposal of the town on very easy conditions, and the other Insurance Companies had signified their willingness to assist in its support. The engine would be a great advantage, in’ the case of fire, when in the hands of persons who understood it, and therefore it would be necessary to have a well-organised company. The engine, which they had all seen, was but small, but powerful enough, he believed, to throw water over any of the buildings in the town, and could be moved about rapidly and with ease. As others were prepared with resolutions, he should not say more at present. Mr John T. Robinson said his resolution was only a formal one, as to whether or not they should form a brigade. All persons who had lived in wooden towns, and seen large fires in them, would know the usefulness and necessity for such a body. He should therefore move, “ That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable to form a Fire Brigade, and the same be called the Blenheim Fire Brigade.’’ Ail those who owned property should join, as it could not he expected that others would take so much interest in it. Those who were insured might consider themselves safe, considering that they got over the risk, but when they got a fire in anything like a populous portion, insurance would rise_ to a great extent. Fires spread so rapidly by sparks falling on shingles and other ways, and this engine would prevent it spreading ; but, however good the engine was, it was no good without a properly organised fire brigade. There was always a number of persons willing to help their neighbors, but, however willing, an organised body of six would be worth more than sixty without system. Besides, it would cause a great saving in insurance. Numerous plans would be suggested as to the way of working the brigade, but it was not necessary to go into them to-night. If he studied his own feelings he would rather not join it, but he looked upon it as a matter of duty; having always taken part in anything for the good of the town, he should do so again. He had heard it said that they were going to make him captain, but he did not wish for*’if.'"' He' should advocate a number of wells being sunk in different parts of the town of a cheap character, bricked two or three feet up and filled in again, with pipes inserted to which the suction hose could be attached ; tin se wells would not cost more than £3O, which doubtless the Insurance Companies would assist the Borough Council in paying for. He hoped they would get a sufficient number to join ; it wanted a man of skill, cool, and brave, as none but such could fill the position requisite. ’Wherever Englishmen got together there was generally a degree of pluck shown, although he did not expect another Braidwood was among us.

Mr Lewis seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously, Mr James T. Eobinsox moved, “That the thanks of the meeting be given to the New Zealand Company, for their kindness in placing the fire engine at the disposal of the town, and that the Chairman bo requested to communicate the same.” For himself, as one of the Council, he was thankful to Mr Hutcheson for the prompt manner in which he had procured the engine; and he might say that he should consider it his duty to propose a vote in the Borough Council for a sum for a building and in support of the Fire Brigade, as he considered the town ought to contribute towards it. Seconded by MrOixon, and carried unanimously. r** Mr Hutcheson moved, “ That a roll be opened, and names taken of those who desired to form a fire brigade, the same to remain in the hands of the Town Clerk for a period of seven days for signature.” They could ; not, perhaps, get too many, and' if they did, it would be wise to take those who were best adapted. To those who saw HcmpseY , g fire, and how dangerous it was to these buildings, he need scarcely say the engine was quite calculated to be of essential service. He considered the town ought to pay something towards its support. His Company had found the engine, and the other Insm : ances*"Offices were willing to pay whatever the Board said was their share. He believed a sufficient number of men could be got here ready and willing to work it. seconded, and the motion was Tarried.

Mr Gorbie moved, “ That a meeting of the Blenheim Fire Brigade be held in the Council Chamber on Thursday, August, for election of officers, formation and other necessary business.” He wished to see parties come forward voluntarily and join. It would be rather hard for those who had put their names down to have all the work, and perhaps get laughed at for some little awkwardness at first. Such as were not able might find substitutes; they could not have too many. Twelve hands would be required to.man, the engine at a time, and, hard" work, " a"'compliinenl; o£>-£QRiy,"?ig.bi' would not be too many besides, it would take a number of men to work the several departments succeesfully-c' l Mi(fKAE~keconded, andHhe—motion—wascarriech Mr James T. Robinson urged that .a subscription be opened, to provide for a fire-bell, which bis firm, was willing to get at cost price. Mr Hutcheson approved of the object, and would contribute a guinea — ■* The Mayor said he would follow suit with another. thought, "as one Insurance Company had found an engine, a second might give a bell, and the third erect a tower. A vote of thanks to the Mayor brought the proceeding to a close.