Forgotten Days

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 4

Forgotten Days

INCIDENT WHEN CITY WAS YOUNG. In an article dealing with the pioneering days of the city, appearing in yesterday’s issue, there was a reference to the then borqugli council declining an offer by an insurance company to send a fire-engine to Palmerston North because of the conditions attaching to the loan of the machine. That was in ISS2. From records in the possession of the “Times," it appears that the, residents of the growing town liad clamoured for this mechanical aid to firefighting for a number of years prior to that. In an undated report (probably January or February, 1S78) a correspondent records tho following:— “A fire broke out about 11.30 last night at tho stables belonging to Mr. Owen, Clarendon hotel (corner of Rangitikei street and the Square). Most people, as it was Sunday night, were naturally in bed at that hour but the firebell very soon brought nearly all the fire-brigade and a good many others to the spot. Tho wind, which was very high, was blowing direct from the stables to the hotel, and some idea of the danger may be gathered from the fact that largo burning lumps of wood were carried over the hotel to houses on the other side of the Square. Another great source of danger was a pile of some 10 or 12 cords of firewood stacked in a direct line from the fire to the main building, find this fairly caught fire, nothing could have saved the hotel, and many other houses would, in that case have also been doomed to destruction. (It is interesting, to noli that there were houses in tho Square in those days). The lire brigade, assisted by volunteers, soon showed what combination and discipline can do. Some were on tho roof (of tho hotel) -with a chain of men passing buckets o t water up to them while others on the other hand, devoted their attention to tiie stack of firewood and to the fire itself. For moro than an hour it was extremely doubtful if the main buildings could possibly be saved but by extraordinary exertions the tire was eventually got under. “1 need hardly point out how much lisle aud labour would have been saved if the fire brigade had had a fire engine and it is to bo hoped the insurance companies will now sec tho necessity of giving them one. The various companies were saved thousands of pounds by the exertions of the brigade and volunteers aud the least they can now do in return is to come down handsomely for their equipment and support. In addition to tho stables, a storehouse belonging to Mr. McNeil and containing a large quantity of contractor’s plant, was destroyed, and also uiaDy small outbuildings belonging to the hotel and neighbouring houses." On April 15, 1878, the same correspondent records the following: “The fire brigade has not yet received tho fire engine and fittings promised them by the insurance companies but it is to be hoped it will shortly bo sent up. . Surely they do not intend waiting until ; we have another large lire before carry- i ing out their promise." j