MUNICIPAL MATTERS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 58

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

INSURANCE COMPANIES AND FIRE

BRIGADES.

A careful consideration of some of our municipal affairs has led me (writes “Vortex”) to the conclusion that the ratepayers cf this city are! about the easiest pleased class of people under the sun. With the object of trying to infuse some little life into our municipal economy, I propose to ask you to insert seine short letters in your paper. Taking Fire Brigade and insurance matters first. Now, sir, the Council and the committee having charge of the above have shown a. gross lack cf business ability hardly conceivable in these days of advancement. First, I charge them -with want of foresight in not possessing the necessary legislation to compel the insurance companies to contribute a share of the* great expense of maintaining our brigade. I can imagine how the local insurance,' managers chuckle at having such tyros in business matters to deal with. This matter has been feebly attempted once or twice and just as often have our councillors been fooled by the presentation of supposed balance - sheets, and the thing ' has been shelved once more. Notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary, I believe (and have good reason to know) that the insurance companies of Wellington are and have been making a good thing out of the citizens for many years past. Then again no serious attempt has been mad© to induce the Government to contribute its fair quota to the up-keep of the brigade. Now, if we only had men who were worth their salt we should long ago have had a good solid contribution from the insurance companies and. the Government, with relief to both rates andj taxes. The insurance companies say that if they are compelled to contribute to the brigade they will increase the insurance rate accordingly. They know better than to try it on. Will the companies tell us how it is that 1.1 nearly all other countries insurance companies contribute to the support of the brigade, in some cases nearly half t' *- cost, and with rates for insurance abou! one-sixth of what now prevail in this city? Again, if our councillors were worthy of the name, they would have had the power to launch a schem eof municipal fire insurance. If the corporation has to find water and the brigade, let the city have the benefit in the insurance money. The present time, I think, is opportune to face this question. We have now a far better brigade and appliances than ever before, and if our Fire Brigade Committee is incapable of dealing with the question, in heaven’s name let it step down and give someone else a- chance to do something.