THE LATE FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11552, 16 January 1901, Page 6

THE LATE FIRE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The public aro indebted to you for your forcible leader of to-day's issue, in which you draw attention to the '"utter disregard of efficient fire-prevention methods'* by those responsible. The belief is freely expressed by , many of the onlookers at the fire on Sunday morning that Nathan's bond should and could have Been easily saved. The possibility of such awful and unnecessary losses will surely result in our insurance rates being raised, or, what will be worse, the foreign insurance companies withdrawing from business in Auckland city entirely. I would suggest that the citizens of Auckland, by public meetings, take in hand this most vital matter of our fire brigade and its equipments, and endeavour to bring about the necessary improvements. There surely can be no difficulty in procuring the most modern engines and other necessary appliances, nor can there be an enormous difficulty in bringing our brigade up to a modern efficient standard.l am, etc., E. Canavan Smith. Beach Road, January 15, 1901.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, While watching the progress of the fire yesterday, I was much impressed by what seemed to me as so much misapplied efforts and waste of energy on' the part of the fire brigade. It was quite apparent to me that the plant, particularly the hose, ■ was faulty, there being so many rents in it, which tended to weaken the force of the water jets. The force should be fully maintained from the hydrant to the delivery. It was also apparent that the firemen being on the ground, when then object of attack is 30ft 01 40ft above them, is the most faulty method in ou: modern tactics in fighting the fire fiend. I have an idea that in the ease of such a fire the firemen should have been at an elevation as high as the building, and to enable this to be done pronerlv an elevator is urgently required, flie 'working <* l! e ladders is impeded by the wires, which place the men in considerable danger, while they make it difficult- to work. The elevators I have in my mind should be on C L 0n a .carriage and made in not less nan -Ult sections, constructed on the telescope principle, and made of iron battens: the elevation of any one section to lx. ar.r)™!-, H a me . t! } od of tooth-geared action, and provided with an arm attachment to t b ?', n - P r °j ected out to the building to enable the men to en to if required I submit that the idea as I have indicated is worthy of consideration.-I am, January 14. Observer.