The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1911. FIRE ENQUIRIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 86, 31 May 1911, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1911. FIRE ENQUIRIES.

It is considered by many people that an enquiry should be hold into every lire that "takes place, whether there are suspicious circumstances or not, and there is something to recommend such a system being adopted. There was talk" of an enquiry being held in connection with the lire at the Stratford High School, but the matter would appear to have stopped at the suggestion, for nothing has since been heard of it. Little doubt exists as to how that fire originated, but an enquiry would have made the subject more public, and this would have acted as a warning to those building or about to build, to see that their chimneys are erected in a workmanlike manner. We were somewhat astonished that, under the circumstances, the fires at the Trocadero, Morison’s Haymarket, and Mr. Lesley's house—all of which occurred within a week—were not subjected to thd strictest enquiry, not because any suspicion attached to the owners or occupiers of the buildings under notice, but because there were ugly rumours afloat in other directions that required clearing up. These conflagrations were surrounded by suspicious circumstances, and it is a matter for surprise why action was not taken to institute the most searching investigation into these outbreaks. It anyone was suspected of having wilfully caused these fires, then in the public interest any douhb—>.ou the matter should have been set at rest. Reverting again to the fire at the school, it is worthy of mention that defective construction of chimneys has been the direct cause of many conflagrations. At one time rats were charged with all mysterious iires, and there is reason to believe rodents are responsible for the distribution of live matches in buildings, and that they may ignite one is now beyond dispute; but the rat has oftentimes been made to take blame that rightly belonged to a human being. AVe fear there is often a tendency, when the opportunity occurs, 'to slum work, regardless of future consequences. This does not apply only to house building, but to almost every industry. Take roadmaking, for instance. " It has been known—wo are not referring particularly to this district—that in extensive fillings, huge logs have been thrown in and buried, although such action was contrary to specifications. Advantage would possibly bo taken of the absence of the inspector from the locality to carry on such practices, and if they were not found out, well and good; but at times a surprise visit from a responsible official would cause the contractor no end of trouble and expense in removing what should never have been placed on the roadway. A cutting largely filled up with logs must sooner nr later subside, and the ratepayers of the locality where work had been slummed would he called upon to pay more than they should for repairs. Sometimes contractors themselves are not aware that slumming is being resorted to by their workmen, in order to save a little extra labour, but the contractor would lie the sufferer if by any chance the bad workmanship were discovered. Defective chimneys may lead not only to the destruction of property, hut human lives as well; defective road-making may load to serious accidents, and certainly entails an additional tax noon the ratepayers. What is really wanted is more downright honesty. ,