The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 685, 5 February 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1881.

A small misunderstanding has within the last few days arisen which may impair the efficiency of the Masterton fire Brigade if it be allowed to grow. Un the last occasion upon which the Brigade turned out, Mr Gapper, an Inspector appointed by the Borough, gave a direct order to the members of the Brigade, instead of communicating it through their commanding officer; Under the Municipal Act,' the Fire Inspector has very large powers, one of them being that he may take command of the Brigade, but it is evident that if an Inspector supersedes at a firo the authority of the ordinary captain there - will be. a confusion of tongues, which will result in inefficiency. In the instance to which we allude, Mr Gapper—we believe more from inadvertence and a want of information as to the plan of operations which the Captain was carrying outgave a counter order. Mr Gapper is too sensible a man to deliberately, do any act to impair the efficiency of the Brigade, and if the mistake which was made had been allowed to pass over, it is very improbable that any repetition of it would have occurred. The members of the Brigade have, however, taken the matter up, and informed Mr Gapper that they will not obey his orders at a fire unless they are communicated through, the officer in command. Mr Gapper, we understand, declines to accept the conditional authority which tho Brigade proffer, and the dispute is likely to be referred to the corough Council. The matter would not be worthy of notice were it not that in the event of a serious fireany collision between the Brigade and the Inspector would be disastrous, Mr Gapper, on the one hand, cannot force members of the Brigade to execute directordersfrom his mouth, and the Brigade, on the other, cannot question the official position which the Act gives to Mr Gapper. A little forbearance on both sides would probably prevent any clashing or disagreement In our opinion, Mr Gapper has, by a momentary error in judgment, placed himself in a false position, When men are engaged at a fire, the officer who drills them, and whom they are accustomed to obey, must be the mouthpiece of all orders given. Neither the Borough Council nor the public could possibly recognise a claim for an Inspector or auy other to. intervene in any manner calculated to lower the authority of the Captain or the discipline of the firemen. We hope to see Mr Gapper abandon a position which heprobably wouldnot havetaken uphad not a somewhat hostile attitude been displayed toward him by the Brigade.