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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 861, 18 January 1879, Page 2

Within the past four years Mr. Scmfter and a few other gentlemen who hada more than ordinary interest in the suppression of tires, made strenuous efforts to establish a hook and ladder company for Oamaru. Notwithstanding that considerable energy was brought to bear in order to cn3iire success, the project fell through because it was considered by some to be premature. It would be useless for us to express an opinion now that the public made a mistake in allowing the matter to lapse at that time. But the expense of maintaining a hook and ladder company would not be great, and the Insurance Companies very wisely are always prepared to liberally support any means for the extinction of tires. It is true that Oamaru has not, partially owing to the substantial character of its buildings, suffered much from fires ; but it is impossible to fortell how soon 'circumstances might arise that would cause deep regrets at the non-existence of a properly organised tire brigade. The formation of a hook and ladder company naturally suggests itself first to the minds of those who are desirous of devising some means of obtaining security against the spread of fires, because of the scarcity of water in Oamaru ; but we think that the time has now arrived when we may go a little further and establish a full-fledged tire brigade possessed of all the necessary paraphernalia to enable it to exercise greater usefulness than could be exercised by a mere hook and ladder company. We, therefore, are glad of an opportunity of expressing our approval of the action of the promoters of the Oamaru Fire Brigade. There may be difficulties to encounter at the outset, but they always attach themselves to every new project, be it never so necessary. Let the matter be taken up energetically and systematically and the sympathy and 'support of "the Insurance Companies, merchant*, and others, will be secured. Three or four years ago it might have been a moot point as to whether a Fire i!rigadc for Oamaru was then absolutely indispensable, and the apathy shown by a ittt- of those on this account that were expected to meet the proposal with open .anus, was nothing more than occurs in j the history of almost every similar scheme. But there can be no difference of opinion now. Oamaru has grown apace since the last futile attempt of f the advoeates for the establishment of | a tire brigade. Merchants, Insurance i Companies, and others, have so much at I stake that they will now be glad to enter | heart and soul into the proposal of those ! who met on Thursday night, resolved to test the feeling of those interested in the matter. If the initiators of the movemen r go to work in a proper manner, they are sure to meet with success. It may be urged by some that the scarcity of water t» a fatal objection to the establishment of .-. Fire Brigade at this time, and that it would be better to i wait for the water supply. Before i say that the Brigade should be at once i established. Not only might it {.rove | useful before tile water supply is an i accomplished fact, but the twelve mouths i that will elapse before that event would i ationt it an opportunity of becoming ! well organised and ready for active j .■.erviee-