THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam" DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Otago Daily Times, Issue 670, 10 February 1864, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. " Inveniam viam aut faciam" DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10

We are exceedingly glad to find that the damage done by the late fire is considerably under the first estimated amount. According to the Customs Return?, which must be considered authentic, the value of the goods destroyed in Casper's bond was only some L 20,000, instead of, as was currently stated on the night of the fire and the day .after, £100,000 to £150,000. Forty td fifty thousand pounds, we may now assume, will cover the total loss by the fire. Even this amount is very serious, although it gains by comparison with the first estimate. It is to be hoped that an equally disastrous fire will never be related in the annals of Dunedin. But mere wishing is of little effect: the experience of: the past .should suggest the precautionary measures necessary for the future. ' There are many features in the late fire that not only deserve to be commented on, but which may prove instructively useful in similar cases. The mystery of the origin of the conflagration should be solved. We have. as. yet heard no plausible explanation adduced; and it is noticeable that the scene of the conflagration had been unvisited for some hours before the flames were discovered. The previous evening, a not dissimilar occurrence took place.' A fire was discovered in a building which had been locked up for some time, in which there was no fireplace, and the origin of which was altogether unaccounted for. We are at a loss to understand why, on both these fires, inquests were not at once held. ■ Power is given to the Coroner, by Act of the Assetn - bly, to hold such inquiries, and they are acknowledged to be most beneficial. We by no means assert that either of the fires in question was the work of an incendiary. But it is to be recollected that there are about Dunedin a great many unemployed people, and the markets are somewhat overglutted with goods. In fine, that condition of affairs prevails which is ordinarily considered to offer inducements to the crime. of incendiarism; aud as the origin of neither of the fires was explained, the cases were surely such a3 were contemplated by the Legislature to come under the provisions' of the Act. On the second of the two, the Coroner has at last commenced an inquisition, but an unnecessary delay was allowed to intervene, and the, step was only taken in obedience to a strong public feeling.

The next consideration is the means at command for checking fires. Under this head, also, some useful particulars are suggested. The'former of the fires was mainly arrested by the promptitude of a private individual, Mr Mills. It is not necessary to say anything in praise of this gentleman, since his services on this and other occasions of a like nature, have been most fittingly recognised by a.number of private gentlemen, who have presented, or are about presenting b. im, with a handsome testimonial and an address, in which his courage, promptitude, and skill, are duly acknowledged. But Mr Mills would have been unable to check the fire, had it not been for the forethought of a private citizen, Mr Jones, in keeping about his premises, ready for use, a large number of buckets filled with water. This, then, is a most instructive hint; the expense of keeping buckets filled with water is trifling, whilst it should be remembered half a dozen gallons of water at the commencement of a fire, are frequently more valuablethan as many thousands at a later period. We dp not hesitate to recommend to every business maninDunedin tokeep buckets filled.with water on his premises ready lor use.

We now come to the next fire; and we are glad to be able to bear testimony to the distinguished service rendered on the occasion by the Volunteer Fire Brigade. The exertions of this corps were beyond all praise. Its members are entirely unpaid, but no hired body of men could have displayed greater indifference to danger, more endurance, or less disinclination to devote their time to the service. For nights and days, they continued their arduous exertions, until all risks from the smouldering remains were over ; and we but echo the unanimously felt opinion, in saying that the members of the Brigade have earned the gratitude and esteem of their fellow-citizens. Captain Rees ha? every reason to be proud of the efficiency of the corps his exertions have so largely contributed to organise. A consideration of the usefulness of the Fire

Brigade, naturally leads one to the suggestion that its powers should be enlarged. The means at its disposal are not sufficient to .provide for the safety of the large city Dunedin has become. To increase its power of usefulness, means to place more funds- at its disposal. As already stated, its members are unpaid, but the appliances they require are costly. We should be glad to see the necessary means subscribed to purchase two or three large first-class fire engines ; and we would suggest to the Insurance Offices to lead the way with liberal subscriptions to secure this object. Another difficulty the Fire Brigade labors under, is the want of water. Articles enough to fill a large book have been written on this subject. Still some good may be effected by a constant recurrence to the point. Not only for sanitary purposes, but for protection against fire, no exertions nor cost^shouldjbe spared in hastening the supplying of water to the town. At a public meeting lately, an influential committee was appointed to inaugurate the undertaking. We hope the gentlemen composing it are not allowing other matters to make them forget this vitally-important one. They have assumed a responsible, we may almost say a solemn trust, and they owe it to themselves and those who placed confidence in them, to carry it out. As s-oon as they have matured a scheme and satisfied themselves of its practicability, we are sure they will have no difficulty in raising the necessary capital. Every citizen will feel it his interest to aid the undertaking, apart from the immediate pecuniary profits it may yield. Besides its sanitary usefulness, a supply of water will lessen the enormous rates now charged by the Insurance Companies. The saving in insurance, added to the guaranteed interest, and the probability of the company proving a pecuniary success, will surely be inducements sufficient to secure the contribution of the required capital.