The Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1872.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1479, 23 November 1872, Page 2

The Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1872.

The citizens of Auckland have received a terrible lesson of the . evils resulting from want of unity of- action in the case of the fire which committed such ravages there on Wednesday last. According to telegraphic a7;vit\a, not only . was the fire allowed to burn almost unchecked whilut rival fin brigades wtre squabbling, but the necessary appliances for < xiiuguishing were wanting when required. Let any unprejudiced person read the following extracts from the telegrams forwarded to the Otago Daily Times, and then say whether they do not afford evidence of a most disgraceful state of things disgraceful alike to those engaged in the unseemly squabble, and those authorities whose duty it was to see that not only were the fire brigades efficiently officered, but itliat every means necessary for extinguishing a fire was in readiness and good order. One telegram says :— " Great dissatisfaction is felt with the bad appliances, tbe weak supply of water, and the disputes between the "Volunteer ITiro Brigade and the Insurance Companies' Fire Brigade." A subsequent telegram states — " At the firo all was confusion ; the rival fire brigades squabbling," whilst a third sffirins — "The disputes between the riv;»l fire brigades were scandalous. Tho Government birhlings were sacrificed, while 2000 people were looking on. jSfofc a ladder was available \a tune." These disclosures are positively disgraceful. They indicate a, want of unity uf action arid of control which ought not to exist in any body of men whose duty it is to cope with such a terrible foe as fire. They' also show thai thy authorities bad neglected to have these appliances iii 'readiness which should be "always ready." for use. Squabbling ought neverTfib take placo between fire brigades ; their only rivalry should be iv the exercise, of that noble emulation which prompts the men to ready and willing obedience, and immediate and euergetie action. In fact, each man or body of men should strive to do Ins or their utmost to extinguish or stop the progress of the fire at the particular poiutto which their efforts arc directed. A fireman should never be iv his brother fireman's way. Then, when the offer: a of tho whole brigade or brigade?, if more'thau one ia called into action, are directed by one efficient officer — who should fcave the supreme command — success generally does crown their efforts when battling with the fire-fiend. That no efficient supreme control existed at tbe fire in Auckland is evident from the disgraceful squabbling of the brigades ; that the authorities neglected their duty is shown by the fact that not a ladder w;>s available when wanted. It is refreshing to turn from such a etate of things and to contemplate our own organizationsfor extinguishing and preventing fires. With a brigade trained to act as one man, officered by men of intelligence, and .willing to yield .ready obedience — even at the peril of life and litnb— to the will of their chief; with a Superintendent quick in counsel, prompt in action, and tirm but courteous in his demeanour ; with a fire police A who, instead'of impeding the action of the brigade clear the 'way for their operations, and when necessary assist . them to the .utmost ; with- a good water supply, and; with the best of appliances, the citizens of Christclurch may well

be proud of their organisation for the extinguishment of fire, and may rest assured that so far as human skill cao devise, they are protected from its ravages. With regard to Auckland, it appears that there should be a thorough re-organisation of the fire brigades: that they should be placed under om oflicer, who should have supreme command, and whose orders should bt implicitly obeyed. When this is done a good supply of water provided, anc the necessary appliances " alwaysready," then, and not till then, can tin authorities of Auculand be said to have done their duty in prottc.ing the citizens from fire.