The Oamaru Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1182, 30 January 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1880.

wc have been warned to prepare to do battle against the ravages of [ire. This community has not been more oblivious than others regarding the necessity for making sueh preparations. If bare knowledge of the existence of such necessity, gloomy prognostications, and determinations spasmodically renewed at intervals of varied durations, according as etrcutnstancc3 admonished us to beware, had been capable of arming us against such a dread enemy, we would have been able now to snap our fingers at its attempted incursions. But simple philosophising, ominous shaking of heads and shrugging of shoulders will not effect anything in this, any more than in any other nnv ten How painfully apparent was the inadequacy of the engines of suppression and prevention—how helpless were the willing hands that hastened to and fro in an attempt to effect some appreciable saving of property. The crowd of helpers was large enough, and conld have been doubled at a moment's notice. But it was not a multiplication of human agency that was required. A fire like that of Wednesday last cannot be quenched by stamping upon it, or smothering it with one's cap or overcoat. Water is the only antidote, and there must be plenty of it. Skill is a drug when not accompanied by proper appliances. The I'ire lirtgade, and their valtittc,' co-operatives, must have felt 'this when working at such long odds on Wednesday. ?-"o water but that which happened to be in tanks cr welts It: the vicinity, and that which could ho procured by a *«>'•" expresses from the O&marti Creek by a necessarily tardy process. Had there been a hose long enough to reach the creek and a powerful steam engine instead of the " onc-horse" machine which is but a burlesque of that which is neees.-i-.ry, and only fit for a theatrical display, how different would have been the resnlt. All honor to the men who have submitted to the necessity for working with such a tool, a necessity which has been imposed upon-them by those whom they seek to benefit. We are confident that, had the appliances we have mentioned been available on Wednesday last, the Gre would have been easily confined to th«i wooden premises at the rear of the store and hotel. But the insurance companies—which would have been spared the necessity of drawing large cheques r<> pr.y claims--are evidently n»t witling to do any m <ro than they can help towards r-rovhlin* ?>•!- fire-extinguishing appliances. They are probably waiting for the public to dip their hands deeply into tlicir , pockets. But the public must see that tlirv are to obtain soiue corresponding ad- ' vantage from a:iv iajge contributions iiiey ! iu;iy ionke towards lessening the risk of danuv.'e or I<>3* r>f property by lire. They wii! not feel inclined to pay ordinary prei miums and support a Fire Brigade for the ! benefit of Insurance CvKipautes. The ; public of Oamani have not been pigssu'djy itv their contributions eo far, but they will, 'we think, render hut little additional | pecuniary assistance towards the m&intei tiance of the Fire Brigade or the purchase of necessary appliances until the InaurauceComr.anies have shown a little more liberality in supporting a cause that is more their own than the public's. The saving that could have bsen effected at the late fire would have paid twice over for the means of effecting that saving. We have not Inst sight of the fact that, even if damaged or consumed premises or stocks have been pretty well insured, the loss to owners is often very considerable through stoppage or disorganisation of businesses. But, beyond this, there is another reason why the public should contribute something towards suppression of tires. They will williugly do their best to prevent loss of life, which causes sueh i tlu.ek throughout their community. V.";U:..ui Kini: wv,i;M not have .;ris hod if the liiitei had been saved, and t would have been, liad only ordinary : •pli;nw:.-i been available. Iho occurp«;t u* thinking. The prettyi.xci.Miiatlon on W wlnesday was ; Wifis- would Lave been tho result had :;e il:ti tn-' iticd when all the hotel diet's were in their beds?' We should ■tave been coin jailed to suiibr feelings .iitnihw to - those caused by the Octagon '.I'C.