FIRE ALARMS AND POLICE CENSORSHIP.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1056, 6 July 1883, Page 2

FIRE ALARMS AND POLICE CENSORSHIP.

TO THE EDITOR. • Sir,— -To judge by the action of oneof the local guardians of the public peace on the occasion of the fire last : evenihg, it seems the Patea V.P.B. are not appreciated (at least not by him), and as pertinent questions relating to some rather insulting and uncomplimentary remarks passed by the Sergeant-’ of the Patea Police, I should like to ask by what right he takes upon to interfere with a body who are organised' to protect .public property ? And also by what right he presumes. to .censure members-of- the brigade for doing their, duty ? The matter stands thus: An alarm is ; raised, -“ Fire 1” being shouted loudly several times, the-bell is rung, and, to, set- the question at rest, for the future, 'should the condition I have nanied -again concur under these circumstances, whether there 1 is-"'really a fire or not, is. it or is ,it not the duty of the brigade, as quickly and promptly as possible, after a sufficient number arrives, to bring out the engine ? or must they wait until they behold half the town - in flames, or until Her Majesty’s servant in blue comes and conveys his supreme authority, in propria persona ?—and is it a part of his duty to threaten and almost insult the party or parties who promptly ring the bell, with of course the intention of inducing the Brigade to “Toll up ” as speedily as possible ?, (the first few moments during which a fire obtains a hold being, everything, especially where the water supply is limited); or is it not officiously overstepping his duty ? I am rather surprised that so astute a personage as a member of the Force is supposed to be, should not have informed himself of facts before wrongly accusing the Brigade and party, or parties, who gave the alarm, of getting up a hoax. A “ Limb of the Law ” should use more judgment and discretion, and not jump at conclusions with such hot haste. Trusting to evoke satisfactory information on the points alluded to, and hoping for the future that the gentleman alluded to will mind his own business and allow the Brigade to do the same. lenclose my name.— I am, &c., Observer.