The Patea Mail. Published Wednesday and saturdays SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1876.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 108, 22 April 1876, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesday and saturdays SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1876.

Thk very destructive fire of Sunday morning last, must have at least its uses, in pointing out how absolutely necessary it is fur the inhabitants of this, and other rapidly growing townships, to take some precautions against fire, and organise some kind of body to art on such disastrous occasions. Carlyle is already extending steadily, and new houses arc going up in various directions within its limits, whilst these will be very largely' added to, without question, on the reserves about to be leased by the Town Board being disposed, of. The destruction of Mr McGuire’s store, and the vtter helplessness ol the most willing hands to do anything effectual to stay it, should impress on all who have property, or who are about, to build, that for solf-presm vat ion’s sake something should be done, if not to avert, at least, to mitigate future misfortunes of the kind. In the first place, on Sunday the supply of water was most scanty, and had there fie u a breath of air stirring nothing could have saved ’Mr McGuire's dwelling house and the .Bank of New Zealand, whilst it is exceedingly probable, in such a case, that the stables of the Australasian .Hotel would have caught, and the fire have cleared the block, including the hotel itself. Rad as the disaster is, it would have been tlicu. iiiul it JI ti>r? wiitov ;i Viiiiitblo to. stop its ravages would have been no more effectual than spitting on it. Chief, then, some measures should ho taken to, as far as possible, remedy I his first great want, and it becomes a question how (IqiT can be best, ' eff-eb'd, At present private wells are sunk to an inconsiderable depth, and. on unusual strain being put on them, such as a tire occasion, are rapidly emptied. Again, th 6 .‘pM'windlass and bucket procure all the’water that is me ded for domestic ivquir§iffenls, but that is a very slow process when needed to put out a ragingtire, wlum even good pumps cannot draw it fast enough. At the same Time ..Ap-people cannot he compelled to sink deep wells in anticipation of their neighbors’ premises catching fire, neither can they be called on to erect first-class pumps, * when their primitive appliances answer

all purposes. It seems therefore that wells of a depth adequate to furnish a tolerably full supply, ami pumps of power sufficient to draw water rapidly, should be sunk and placed at Ml the chief points of the towns, ami so make some provision for exigencies of the kind. These would certainly cost m/mey, and there are no public funds available, for such ;v ptii'p"sm as lal' as wc know, but toe expense would 11 ot b’ very heavy, and the properly saved at mi" fire through even a moderate supply of water h'ing available, would probably pav it many times over. It is for prnpT'v holders to consider whether or not it is worth their while to subscribe Mifiieieiil money to carry out this, or some other modified suggestion, no matter what, so long as the all important element be rendered available. It will he a good many years before Carlyle can look forward to waterworks, ami a substitute, even of a trilling kind, is needed as was so recently and so painfully made apparent. In addition to local subscriptions. it is highly probable that tlms" insurance companies, having n'skn in the township would contribute liberally, and. besides this, it is just possible that the Provincial Executive, ns a graceful act, prior to their extinguishment, would either grant a small sum, or recommend it to be incorporated with the estimates. Something should certainly be dorm, as u, mere question of protection, and if the public take no heed of the late warning, they may yet have other and equal!v serious ones. It might bo even a question whether, by the various surrounding townships uniting, a small (ire engine could not be purchased, but that is a due.slion for further consideration. Another thing, however, is most, important, and that is, for some kind of organisation to be established, a miniature tire brigade in fact, disciplined and drilled in some degree, in short, as far r.s their appliances, limited as they might be, would allow, a body, however few in numbers, could render valuable service, for they could set an example to those not so skilled as themselves during the excitement of a conflagration, and would thereby be the means of directing the energies of those willing to assist iu a proper direction, instead of having, as at present, what would be valuable uselessly wasted. If a public meeting were called, the whole question could be discussed, and steps taken to form a committee to consider what is most advisable. That something should be done must he patent to every one. It is too late to shut the door when the steed is stolen ; no one knows whose; turn may come next to lose their property through the same causes that have inflicted so very serious a loss on Mi M.-Cim.-o.