THE COLONIST Published Daily-(Morning). Nelson, Friday, Mar 6, 1908. THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12184, 6 March 1908, Page 2

THE COLONIST Published Daily-(Morning). Nelson, Friday, Mar 6, 1908. THE FIRE BRIGADE.

It is with pleasure we publish in another column the letter of Messrs I Tasker and Levien, defending the Fire Brigada from the criticismslevelled against it by those who witnessed its work at Messrs Savage and Sons' premises on Wednesday night. Our correspondents are the owners of buildings abutting on that in which the fire originated, and though for some time in .grave danger, their property was saved from destruction. Naturally, therefore, Messrs Tasker and Levien are gratitied, and. equally naturally, they wish to express their appreciation of the Brigade's sarvices Still, they have by no means shown that our very moderate criticism was made without justification; The view of our correspondents was limited to what took place on the Bridge street side; it muat have been very apparent to observers entering from Hardy street that in several features of the Brigade's work there were we:;U points. There was, for instance, tt noticeable lack of discipline during the earlier stages of the file, which should not have bees present, oven in a volunteer organisation. As we said before, many of the discounting features of the wurk of ttio Brigade were duejto factors for which itjcovlld not have been held responsible, but, making evoiy allowance for these disadvantages, the proceedings on Wednesday night were not such as wouid inspire confidence in the ability of tuo Brigade, under present conditions, to grapple with a really serious outbreak of fire, such as might occur at any time in Nelson. It seems that tire prevention matters generally are at present on a very unsatisfactory footing. r lho Engade appears to be responsible to no one ; the Uity Council pays an annual subsidy of ,C 225, upon the expenditure of which it exercises no check, as f.ir as can he gathered from the reports of its meeting 3, and with the passing of tno subsidy it would apparently regard its responsibility as ended. That should not be tne case. In every other town of any importance , there is direct supervision by a fire brigade committee appointed • by the local authority, and some such system should obtain here. The condition of the appliances usncl on Wednesday night proves that there is ample room for improvement in this respect. Indeed matters in relation to tue Fire Brigade generally seem -to stand in urgent need of overhaul, and it is to be hoped in the interests of the city that some investigation will be made. We do not wish it to be understood by this that we desire to indulge in harsh criticism of the Fire Brigade. It is inspired, we know, by motives which redound to the credit of men. But it is time for Nelson to seriously oonsider if the means it has provided for coping with lire are adequate; if it sets its Fire" Brigade, with the conditions under which it has to work, a reasonable task. We say unhesitatingly that it does not. While such laxity obtains as at present, the efforts of the most efficient boiy of men cannot be directed to the best advantage. Only yesterday there was brougbt under our notice an instance of criminal carelessness that could only be tolerated under the most lax system of inspection. At the corner of Hardy and Trafalgar streets is a i lire piug. Hardy street has recently been subjected to a proces3 of top dressing with tar and sand, and the iron cap of the tiro pltig has beeivtop dressed also ; it has been cemented to the surrounding pavement as li'rmly as unending ages of petnfication could have accomplished it. What havoc could a fire work in any of the buildings in the vicinity while fare men. panting from the exertion, of running to the scene instead of travelling thither in the vehicle which should be provided for them, strained to wrest the metai cap from the encrustation of asphalt? What system, too. would allow hose to be sent to a fire in the

condition , in which that used Jon Wednesday night was fiund to be? It is indeed higti time tbc control of such matters was veuted in some responsible officer. We admire the spirit which actuates the volunteer fireman... Too often, we admit, he is subjected to censure which is undeserved : but even at the risk of ' hurting the feelings of the Nelson Fire Brigade, we must insist that the present state of affairs is one that should not be suffered to continue. It is a pity that the City Council so unceremoniously rejected the motion introduced some time ngo.by Councillor Snodgrass, that; Nelson take advantage of the I^ir a

Brigades Act. Even if no tangible

result, as contemplated by the motion, had followed, the necessary investigation must at least have led to improvements which would have afforded the ratepayers a greater feeling of security than they can experience now. It is to be hoped that the discussion which has ariseii over the laflt tire will cause the -City Council to take into serious consideration the responsibility which devolves upon it, and place the Fire Brigade, in a position to discharge its functions witt a reasonable degree of efficiency.