FIRE BRIGADE TWO WARNINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13195, 5 June 1906, Page 7

FIRE BRIGADE TWO WARNINGS.

Sir. —On several occasions I • have ma do suggestions through the medium of your columns, which although tardily received have happily been adopted in every case with most satisfactory results, as is evidenced by the efficiency of the brigade and the great decrease in serious fires. I am therefore eneoirraged to offer two warnings, which I trust will be considered by our city father* and the meijjbprs of our excellent fire brigade—(l) The bur-ting of water mains. A short time ago a burst occurred in (I'Councll-st reel, and. as your report stated, it played like a geyser for about 20 minutes. Now, just imagine what the consequences would have been had this taken place ill that locality and a tire raging at. the same time. \Y< would undoubtedly have had a 'Frisco calamity on a' small scale. From inquiry I understand that the modus operandi in such cases would be to ring up the turncock and enlist his services to put matters right. If this be so, I would suggest that each fireman be instructed us to how the damage could be put right without Raiting, foi outside help ami relying on one man to '-ectify 'such an important matter, and so save valuable time. (2) Your cable news about, three months ago informed us that, during a serious fire? at Sydney a number of firemen were detailed, to - extinguish fires in various parts of 'the city which had been cause/! by flying- embers, and sparkscarried, by the wind,, to. oilier, houses. • We . Aucklanders have had similar experiences,

and on one occasion, about nine years ago, a fire originated at the Three Lamps, and within a short space of time no less than 28 houses were on fire in various parts ol I'ousonby, caused by embers falling _on wooden roofs, and oil two other occasions 1 have experienced equally alarming incidents from the same cause, besides many less serious ones. .The remedy I would suggest should danger, threaten is that the superintendent of the brigade should order the central firebell to be rung, and also enlist the services of buglers living in the line of fire to sound the alarm" three times on hearing the big bell. I quite approve of the brigade extinguishing fire quietly as they are doing, but in case of a serious fire I think the public should be made aware of ii. However, I have done my duty in pointing out possible danger, and trust the responsible parlies will give, these two warnings their earliest consideration. / FoiiKWAitXF.n.