THE WAIMEA STREET FIRE BELL.

Colonist, Volume XXVI, Issue 3480, 13 June 1882, Page 3

THE WAIMEA STREET FIRE BELL.

It is now Borne titne sinco wo first called attention to the great danger the larger portion of the town was subjected to thruugh the •removal of the Waitnea street fire bell, - but this danger has been in no way removed. Tho City Council, instead of dealing with the matter in a pub io spirit, ;have commenced wrangling with the Insurance Companies, importing into th«v dispute a lot of outside natters, and it ib simply a; matter of good fortune that they have not been at all events morally, responsible for heavy damages. At the present time out1 boasted advantages of a good water supply are reduced to v mere nothing in case of fire, so far ao the western ond south-western portions of the city fire concerned, for ibo much valuable time would necessarily be consumed in,giving an^alurm, thut the damage would be done before assislanc9 was possible. Were a fire to break out in Washington Valley, on tho Waimea Iload, or.in the neighborhood of the Theatre, from ten minutes to half anhour would nßoessarily elapse before an efficient alarm could now be given and the Brigade called out, and such a length of time would enable a fire to. obtain a complete mastery. So far as the question as to whose duty it is to re-erect the bell is concerned, we hold that those who would suffer by fire are.the proper persons to do the work, and in this light it would appear that as two thirds of the property in Nelson is uninsured two thirds of the cost should be borne by the citizens, and tho remainder by the Insurance Companies; but it cannot be denied that there' is something in the argument, that they have reduced their premiums 25 percent where there is a water supply handy, and that as the water supply is rendered practically valueless by reason of there being no means now in one portion of the city of enabling it to be used, they are placed at an unexpected disadvantage, whilst by reason of their'concessions to'the public they are exempt from any claim for providing for the fira bell. Although we do rot wholly agree with the argument, it need not now be considered, for the companiss have signified tneir willingness to contribute one fourth of the estimated cost of erecting the bell and providing a hoee station, and they also give the use of the bell. Their offer is thus virtually equal to the proportion that may be Baid to be equitably duo from them, and consequently it behovfß the Corporation to funish thefjremainder ot the necessary funds. It must be lemembered that in most cases tho greatest sufferers from fire are those of Email means who are not insured, and for such particularly should the Council show consideration, remembering that a payment out of rates come* really from the pockets of the ratepayers in proportion to the amount of their property. We trust that this matter,may not longer be delayed/and that on Friday night the Council will take such steps as will provide tho wane which may1 at;:any. momont provo, a very serious one. We subjoin a•■ letter. ;ir6m the Secretary to the Nolson Insurance Association to tho Mayor, which explains the views held by tho representatives of the Insurance Companies :— Nelson, Bth June, 1882. Sib, —I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 6th instant, conveying' the decision of the City Goiincil in respect to the re-erection of the Waimoa street fire-bell. Your letter was laid before the members of the Association yesterday afternoon, when the following resolutions were unanimously carried: — 1. That the Insurance. Companies Association consider that it is the duty of the town to provide the means of giving alarm in case of fire, the rate* of insurance being framed on the assumption thut ouch means exist. 2. That even admitting that the duty in any degree devolves upon tho . Insurance Companies, the most that they could, be called upon to contribute would be in proportion, to the amount that the insured portion of the town bears to the uninaurod, which in Nelsou is aB 1 in 3. 3. That the loan of the bell and the contribution of £i 5 towards its erection, &c, offered by the Association to avoid delay is a 8 much as can reasonably bo expected from the Insurance Companies under any circumstances, tho total cost of the bell tower, &c, being about £6U, uud the Association therefore decline to increase the contribution of £15 referred to in addition to tho use of the boll. I remain, Sir, Tour obedient eorvant, J. WIXSON, Secretary. His Worship the Mayor, Nelson.