FIRE EXTINGUISHING AND BOMBARDMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 19

FIRE EXTINGUISHING AND BOMBARDMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sir, —Will you kindly afford me space in your valuable paper for a-' few remarks upon this important subject. Much lias lately been advanced as to the utility of supporting a Permanent Artillery force ; arguments have arisen upon the usefulness of a Volunteer force of citizen soldiers in times of invasion by a foreign foe ; but nothing has been advanced to show the usefulness of the volunteer firemen in times of invasion, yet that is the identical body of volunteers whose services are more than likely to be called into requisition, From the time of the wars of the ancient Greeks down to the present time, one of the principle studies of the engineers of military science has tended to the perfection of missiles, to carry over long ranges for purposes of destruction ; the-'destruction aimed at in this particular, is not only to batter down, but to set on fire buildings, and so to complete the work of destruction. If by these engines of war, cities are in danger of destruction By fire, should not proper means be provided to ensure the reduction of loss by fire to a minimum ? For this particular service the energy and pluck of the much-abused fireman would be required. His usefulness in those times is beyond question, yet so little is thought of this service that tbe 'liability of the requirement of bis services is not once brought into question, and no arrangement made for the retaining of his services iu those times of danger, for danger -would encompass him at every step if called upon to perform his duties, surrounded by the falling shells of the enemy. By the Government our Volunteer soldiers are armed with effective weapons, and subsidised to retain their services in war time. What reason can there be that the firemen should not be armed with proper appliances to fight the foe raised by the enemy, and whose destruction commences long before our citizen soldiers could be called into service ? And without proper appliances being provided, the destruction is likely to be so complete as to leave nothing but blackened and smoking ruins for our citizen soldiers ■to defend. Commenting upon this picture which I have drawn, should not -the fireman be encouraged by financially retaining his services, and also •to provide him with efficient weapons wherewith to fight his foe ? While thousands of pounds are spent upon appliances -for defence, no thought is given to the ■providing of fire-extinguishing appliances. It must be acknowledged that bombardment may be expected in the event of attack, consequently fire would be experienced. The property of the Government, owing to its prominent situation, would be the largest sufferer. Taking this view, it is clearly the duty of the Government to conserve the public property by being prepared to resist the common enemy, and benefit the .community at large.—l am, &c., A Fire Extinguisher. [Our correspondent is not justified in referring to the firemen as “much abused.” It is true that their conduct has very properly been criticised —as that of all publie officers should be —and, when unsatisfactory, condemned; butthe value of their general services is fully appreciated. Our correspondent’s suggestion is well worth considering. —Ed ]