Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1887. A Praiseworthy Effort.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2061, 29 April 1887, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1887. A Praiseworthy Effort.

The Greytown Fire Brigade, realising how ineffectual any attempt would be to battle with a large fire with their present engine—which is really only a t 0 y—have hit upon an idea by which they hope to raise funds for the purchase of an engine of greater power. Unwilling to go about with a subscription list, they propose —with the help of a few gentlemen —to provide amusement for the public during some of the winter evenings, and to devote the proceeds of these entertainments to a fund which shall be set apart exclusively for the purchase of the engine required. We hail the idea with gladness and hope the Brigade may be successful in their endeavors. The members have worked amicably together, and have sacrificed much time to perfect themselves in drill ; they have shown themselves ready to help on every occasion of danger, even outside the town, from bush fires, and the residents of Papawai and Moroa will testify to the value of the Brigade’s services recently in subduing what promised to be a most destructive fire down that way. Later on, too, when the fire raged through the bush behind Mr Mead’s property and the residents of Kuratiwhiti Street were in danger of being burnt out of house and home, the Brigade turned out and worked like slaves to save property, and they succeeded too, but it was days before some of them got oyer the fatigue and the blindness caused by smoke and heat. On every hand their endeavors were spoken of in the highest terms of praise, but it must bo admitted that the want of a more powerful engine was evident and the members of the Brigade, feeling how unequal they are to cope with a fire of any magnitude, are desirous of getting an engine more suitable than the small one at present in their possession. This wish should be shared by the citizens of Greytown, for it is they who will reap the benefit in case ot fire—the Brigade gain nothing. We do not feel that it is necessary to enlist sympathy for the Brigade’s efforts to provide a serviceable fire engine, for we are sure that there will be a hearty response ; that the entertainments will be largely patronised, and that a good sum will bo netted at the close of the series towards the purchase of an engine, which will be a boon to the town should it ever be called into requisition.