WANT OF A FIRE BRIGADE.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 295, 11 July 1868, Page 3

WANT OF A FIRE BRIGADE.

There can be no doubt that nothing short of a conflagration, by which about one-half or more of the people on the Buller are ruined, will ever stir the public here up to take measures for the extinguishment of fire, should such unfortunately break out. Only last night a warning—a kind of memento that such a thing as danger from fire existed—was given and yet we venture to say nothing will be done in consequence ; and if a fire arises it must rage unchecked, and ruin to many follow in its train. A fire here is doubly disastrous, for not only is the sufferer burnt out of house and home, but he has no possibility, be he ever so careful, of recouping his losses by means of insurance. There are no fire policies issued on the Coast, we believe; we are certain that none pertain to Westport. and this place, for all insurance purposes, is tabooed ground. As to water, though we have plenty from the skies at no infrequent intervals, there is no large reservoir or j tank of any kind to catch it, and it simply fills a few barrels or zinc cases after each shower, sufficient certainly for domestic purposes, but ridiculously insufficient for the extinction of fire. As to a fire engine, hook, and ladder,',complete, fire escape, or any appliance whatever we have none, nay we verily believe that excepting in a few of the large hotels or stores, not more than half-a-dozen buckets could be gathered in as many houses. Never were any community less prepared for a fire than that of Westport. Without insurance, the major portion of the people injured would be utterly ruined, without means of any description to stay the progress of a fire all that people could do would be to look on and watch their homes blazing to destruction. There is no brigade, there is no organisation of any kind, and should a fire arise a scene of frantic disorder may be looked for with the most perfect certainty. Had a Municipality been formed here, some of the first subjects that would have engaged their attention would have been the organisation of a fire brigade and the proper supply of water to the town, both for domestic and other purposes, but especially for the extinction of fires. As this however has not yet taken root, it behoves those most interested, viz, those having tbe most to lose to take stnps without delay to protectthemselves as far as possible The least that should be done is the immediate formation of a Volunteer Fireßrigade, and, this step achieved, the next thing to .consider would be how to get the necessary fire plant, if such a term is applicable. Even if the Brigade had neither engine, hooks, ladder, or anything else, the mere fact of their existence, and the discipline that a very short drill would give them, would do much, and at least there

would be an organised body to do the best that could be done under the circumstances, instead of a set of excited well meaning maniacs, rushing about in all directions, and doing a great deal more harm than good. We hope that before it is too late a Eire Brigade movement will be initiated ; it will be about to shut the stable door when the steed is stolen, and when a street is burnt down it will be too late to cry over it. Let us take the bull by the horns at once ; if a brigade is formed we are sure the necessary apparatus can somehow be procured, and if it cannot, such a body could not be other than most useful. Those having houses full of furniture and stores full of goods, will not, for their dear selves' sake, object to provide what will be for the salvation of their own property, and once let the men come forward, all that they require will soon follow.