FIRE AND WATER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 295, 29 November 1862, Page 5

FIRE AND WATER

(To the Editor of ike Otago Daily Times.) Sir,—The lire ou Monday night has shown the inhabitants of Dunedin the activity and energy of the Fire Urig-ade. Laudable as its exertions were, the want of a sufficient supply of water under different circumstances, might have rendered those exertions unavailable.

Our town is completely full of goods, the purchase and accompanying charges of which have cost immense sums of money. The buildings on it are o very eonsiderabfe value. These, or a great part o them, with the valuable property they contain, are liable to be swept away in a few hours by the devastating element; bringing ruin to hundreds of families, causing a tolal disarrangement of business, and might be the origin of a fearful crisis, from which scarcely a person iv the Province would escape without loss, trouble, and aimoyancj. Do the merchants, tho proprietors, Hie storekeepers, the tradesmen, ami tiie inhabitants of Dunedin, consider the fearful responsibility they are under? They should be convinced that by delay and apathy they are far from doing fciseir duty to themselves and their fellow-citizens. It may be asked how are we to free ourselves i'vom these responsibilities, and how arc we to do our duty ?

By immediately forming a Waier Company, and without delay beginning that most essential work of getting au abundant supply of water into the town ; by this we should ba prepared to combat with energy and sufficient ammunition our dreaded enemy—Fire. 1 am most willing to take shares iv the company, and am confident that the greater part of our felhw-citi-zens will do the sams.

But, Mr Editor, it is not only to quench fife that we require an abundant supply of water. '. Pure wholesome water is a most essential necessary, and is one of tiie created luxuries of life.

At present we sire imhiiiing a illthy, unwholesome —I mLiht almost say poisunous—stuff, which to think of. pauses disgust. \V by should wo nailer from the want of this most necessary element'? A very little exertion on our part would free us from constant dread and annoyance, arid we have in the vicinity of our town fail and udialling supplies of pure crysfc.lline water, that might be brought in abundance into our very houses, with comparatively speaking very little trouble; besides a Water Company w)uld pay the shareholders most h&Edsojnely.

Then why delay when so many evils may result from these delays ! Not a moment should be lost. Our population is rapidly increasing; in the same ratio increase our risks and requirements, and our responsibility is daily augmenting. I am, Sir, yours &c, Anxiety. Wednesday, 26 th November.