THE LAMBTON QUAY FIRE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6042, 29 October 1906, Page 10

THE LAMBTON QUAY FIRE.

AN EX-FIREMAN’S NOTES AND QUERIES. (Top tho Editor "N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—Being an ex-fireman, I wish to do my duty to the public in criticising the above. Arriving on the scene some minute,, before the New Zealand Insurance buildings wore on fire, the lack of ladders was soon evident. When tho fire first started in the New Zealand Insurance buildings, why _ was it not put out by motor chemical or other means, as it burned bop slowly. If tho Council engine was sent for a few 'minutes after the alarm, how was it that it did not start pumping before an hour? Why was it put to rob the failing water pressure, when the wharf was so near ? Wh v does not tho telescope ladder go to all alarms in the busy parts of the city? Again, it is not fireman-like to leave empty hose lying in front of a fire to scorch, when' one man or tho police could have taken it out of danger me. When tlie Council engine, was found insufficient, why did tho Harbour Board’s engine not work in less than two hours alter tho alarm ? Why did tho telescope ladder stand idle in Grey street when it could have been used to advantage on tho Bank of Now South Wales ? Are these two powerful engines only capable of throwing two poor jets with 800 ft hose each, when engines thirty year old can do bettor ? I would like to state when around tho big engine two or three timesshe never had a greater water pc ram re than 1201 b, steam. 80 to 1001 b. I firmly believe three branches should have been obtained, which would have thrown water to the top, or nearly of the Bank of New South Wales, and 1 will, if required, give a demonstration of how the engines should have been worked. Why did not the motor do some of the running about for hose, etc., and save the horses, if she could do nothing else ? Eucih foreman should have hie own men, and he should receive and give orders from the superintendent. The men did well what was ordered, ; both ‘firemen .and engineers. The chief wants of the brigade are more ladders, hose, and hose tor telescope ladder. If the buildings had burned from their bases, there would probably have been loss of life.—l am. etc.,' J. M. RUSSELL. October 25fh. (To the Editor' N.Z. Times.”) Sir, X should like, through the medium of your columns to ask the authorities that be how long Lambton quay is to remain ulocKed for traffic. Is the traffic to be diverted indefinitely, to suit tho convenience of property-owners, who do not see fit bo clear away the debris? . . Tho barricading of Grey street should never have been submitted to, us it was quite unnecessary, and caused very serious loss to business people, on tho quay, who have to pay very heavy rents and rates. Instead of putting on gangs of men to work night and day, and get the mess cleared np. very little is being done. One would think the contractors at tins Hank of New South Wales would have the stuff w-heeled out and tipped direct into drays, instead of dumping it down in the road, to be shovelled up again. I should like to see an effort made to open the street for Saturday’s traffic. I am, etc.,... A DISGUSTED SHOPKEEPER. October 26th. (To the Editor '‘N.Z. Times.") Sir, Many members of country fire brigades would like to know the reasons that tho chemical engines belonging to the city played bo inglorious a part during . the late fire. Judging by published accounts, one can hardly imagine circumstances more favourable for the chemical to distinguish itself, yet no paper that I have seen refers in any way to the presence of one. Nearly ail fire brigade authorities are recommending chemicals as first aid, so it would probably interest a large section of your readers to bo told why they failed to prove, their utility at any of the numerous opportunities offerecl.—l am. etc., ' HBKE-WAX. Now Plymouth, October 25th.