Wanganui Herald (published daily.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1885. THE CAPTAIN OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5629, 27 May 1885, Page 2

Wanganui Herald (published daily.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1885. THE CAPTAIN OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Foil some time past it has been the general wish of the burgesses to recognise in some fitting manner the long and valuable gratuitous services rendered by Mr T. D. Cummins, the efficient and zealous Captain of the Wanganui Fire Brigade. His Worship the Mayor was spoken to on the subject and asked to bring it before the Borough Council, but he had to decline, what would have been a labour of love in his case, as he is an officer of the Brigade himself, and as such could not very well propose a grant to his superior officer from the Mayor's chair. Cr Carson, however, had no such obstacles in his way, and accordingly undertook to bring the matter before the Council and the ratepayers, being warmly seconded by Cr Richards, who is, as we all know a rigid economist of the Borough funds and firmly opposed to any improper distribution of them. This fortunately is a subject entirely unconnected with politics or party ties, and one the whole of the burgesses can heartily join hands in carrying out. Knowing how much Mr Cummins dislikes being made the subject of even the mildest praise, we will so far respect his wishes as to merely allude to his past services as Captain of our Fire Brigade, in few but well deserved words of commendation. For years, without pay and with no selfish end in view, Mr Cummins has given up his leisure and devoted his best efforts to bring the Brigade to its present proud position, viz., that of about the most efficient in New Zealand. Respected and trusted by his fellow members of the Brigade, he has directed their efforts at the various fires with which that body has had to cope during the last ten years with such good success, that in no single instance has a conflagration extended beyond the buildings in which it started. When it is remembered that Wanganui is a town of wooden buildings of the most inflammable character, and subject to high winds, the success of the Fire Brigade seems little short of marvellous. Strangers visiting Wanganui have often prophesied the fate of Chicago for the town, but thanks to Captain Cummins and his grand staff of fellow workers, the prediction is still unfulfilled, and long may it remain so. When a community is as fortnnate as we are in the possession of such a life and property-saving organisation as Captain Cummins commands in the Wanganui Fire Brigade, we think the least those who are enabled to sleep so soundly of nights, undisturbed by the dread alarm bells, can do, is to show in a practical way their appreciation of the priceless boon they enjoy through the efforts of men like Mr Cummins. Cr Hutchison for some reason opposed the grant being made from the Borough rates, on the grounds that the late Mayor, who moved the matter of the bonus to Mr Cummins, had a better right to such a public recognition of his services, and that it would be an illegal act to divert the ratepayers' money into furnishing a bonus in recognition of services rendered them for a period of over ten years. As the question was not raised of voting a bonus to the late Mayor, we do not know why Cr Hutchison introduced so debatable a subject. As to the legal aspect of the proposed vote for a bonus to Captain Cummins we are not going to set our opinion up against that of the legal gentleman who opposed the vote, although we have reason to bel'eve his dictum in this matter is open to correction, as he will find if he turns up the Municipal Corporations Acts. At all events, one thing is certain, and that is, the subject having once been ventilated the matter must be carried to a proper conclusion. If the Borough rates cannot be voted for the purpose, there are plenty of grateful ratepayers who are quite willing to mark their appreciation of the very valuable services rendered them by Captain Cummins for so many years, and to subscribe liberally towards a fund which we feel certain would swell out to figures far beyond the modest £50 proposed to be voted by the Borough Council. If the latter body represents the ratepayers on this matter as truly as it should, there will not be a dissentient voice raised when the matter is brought forward at the next meeting of the Council. On a matter of this kind the offering mnsL be the spontaneous vote of the whole community, or Mr Cummins will refuse to accept a partially grudged reward for services freely rendered with no such object in view. We hope the public of Wanganui will do themselves full justice in this matter, and show they are not ungrateful to men who, like Mr Cummins, devote their time and attention to matters of such vital importance as the protection of life and property without fee or pay. These men are the true defenders of our hearths, and it would ill become us to neglect a fitting opportunity of showing them how highly their services are valued, as it is but a small return after all for what the commercial folks term " value received,"

The estimates for the year's works, although causing considerable discussion last evening, met with no hostile criticism. The possibility of reducing the overdraft was shown by the Mayor to be out of the question this year, as there were the important w orks of River Bank protection, and Halswell Street drainage to provide for. The position of the loan account was not considered to be altogether satisfactory, but His Worship stated that the collector hoped shortly to be able to reduce the overdraft by a considerable amount, as some of tho outstanding rates would bo got in. In one or two of the smaller items there are changes. The Pound will be let, and the inspection of nuisances will in future be under the control of the Foreman of Works. With regard to the weighbridge, (shortly expected), it was thought that at least £20 would be received from that during the yjar, and this amount was put down with the receipts. As the committee appointed to deal with the valuation question do no appear to have finally made up their minds on the advieibility of adopting the property tax valuations, the sum of £50 has been placed as a contingency, which may have to be provided for.

Captain Edwin telegraphs : — Every indication of frost to-night, and poor tides after next high water.

A cable message has been received by Sir Julius Yogel from the loan agents in London, stating that they arc prepared to put a New Zealand loan of one million and a half upon the market immediately, and he has signified his approval of their doing so.

The New York Graphic of January 27, 1885. gravely publishes the following announcement :— " The Right Rev. Frederick Temple, Bishop of Exeter, has bsen appointed Roman Cathoiic Bishop of London by the Pope."

Writing from Cardiff, South Wales, to a fnenl in Wanganui regarding the sale of New Zealaud mutton at Home, a former resident of TaylorvMe, Mr .J. 11. England, says : "We get a good deal of New Zealaud mutton in this town. It bears a very good name, and always takes the lead of other imported meat."

Councillor Neill suggested at the Borough Council meeting last evening that the lamp near the Keith Street Fire Brigade Station should be loft burning all night, so that those desiring to give an alarm could find their way to the station. It was pointed out by the Mayor that this was a suggestion which should emanate from the Fire Brigade Committee. The idea is a proper one, and we trust to see it followed up, as there can be little doubt of the wisdom of such a procedure.

Cr Carson, while the estimates were under discusion at the Borough Council last evening mooted the idea of granting Captain Cummins a bonus. The idea was well received, but was held over till next meeting so that the matter could be thought over by the councillors. We feel sure that as to the right to some token of the estimation in which he is held by the public, no public servant stands more favorably than Captain Cummins, who has made the Wanganui Brigade a credit to the town, and one of the best in the colony.

A child, aged two years, belonging to Mr J. Lett, was very nearly poisoned this morning by eating the heads of wax matohes. The child, it appears, has been in the habit of doing this before, and the elder children bad been warned against leaving any matches within reach of the little one, but the warning had passed unheeded .The services of Dr Sorley were called into requisition, and by the use of an emetic the poison was disloc'ged, though not before the life of the child waa despaired of. Negligence in such matters often leads to serious consequences, and parents therefore, cannot be too particular as to leaving vestas lying about.

Our Manaia correspondent writes on Saturday:—Mr Twigg, contractor, met with a serious accident this afternoon while superintending work at a bridge in the bush behind Okaiawa. A piece of timber fell from the top of the biidge, striking Mr Twigg on the back of his head, inflicting a severe wound, and rendering him insonsible for a considerable time. He was brought down on horseback to Manaia, and a messenger at once despatched to Hawera for Dr Richards, who came out and attended to the sufferer. The patient is reported to bo doing well, though very weak from loss of blood. Mr Thomas Scott is also reported to have been hurt this afternoon by his horse falling and rolling over him.

In the case of Tamati Takarangi and Mr Piercy yesterday, a question of title was raised. It appeared from the evidence that certain privileges had been given under the old lease, but it was urged that under the new agreement these privileges were not given. The natives stated that they thought the privileges still existed. His Worship dismissed the case, having no power to deal with questions of title. The civil cases brought on yesterday were— Joseph Paul v. John Somers, claim £1 4s Id ; judgment for plaintiff, with costs 14s. Heads Railway Company v. A. Bell ; Mr Borlase for plaintiffs, and Mr Fitzherbert ; verdict for plaintiffs for £51 15s 9d, with costs 40s, and mileage 6s. S Manson v Teoti Partahe,*claim £40 103 sd, judgement summons, no appearance of defendant, ordered to be paid in one week's time, ia default six weeks imprisonment ; John Piercy v Petera Rupuhu, claim £S0 16s Bd, no appearance of defendant, ordered to be paid in four week's time in default two months' imprisonment. J. C. Helmore and Thomas Reid v T. O'Shanessy, claim £7 ss, summons to a tenant holding over — it was ordered by consent that the possession of the land be given up by the 31st instanb, claim for mesme profits being abandoned by the plaintiffs,

The Directors of the Wanganui Steam Navigation Company met last evening. Rough plans of the proposed boat were submitted by Mr Murray, and these will be in turn placed before Mr McGregor, Government Inspector of Machinery, for his approval. It was decided to make the boat larger than originally intended, the size now will be 90ft by 16ft, with a epeed of 12 knots. A communication was received from the Government asking whether the Company would be prepared to couvey railway material up the river, and at what price. A price was fixed by the Directors. The meeting decided to open a banking account at the Bank of New Zealand. This concluded the business;

At the Education Board yesterday some amusement was caused by a letter from one of the country committees. This portentous document commenced in the following style : "I , acting secretary of the C School Committee, by special resolution of the committee, do hereby make application for a tank, &c " As the last word of this fell on the ears of the members, all burst out laughing. They had been expecting something serious, and the next statement of the writer " that it was thought prudent to mention that a tank rolls about the " Whi Toi " school ground, tubject to serious damage by the elements," put the cap on it. It was decided that this tank, which had the trick of rolling about, should not be placed at the mercy of the elements any longer than necessary, and leave was given the applicants to remove it to their own ground.

The second performance here of the Millis-Hart combination was given last evening in the Princess Theatre, which was moderately well filled. The entertainment was thoroughly appreciated, the efforts of the performers being frequently and deservedly applauded. Miss Louise Hart, who is an accomplished player, presided at the piano, and, besides rendering the accompaniments, gave several enjoyable selections. A veutriloquial sketch by Mr Millis, who introduced a rapid change from male to female character in a wonderfully short space of time, and an Irish piece in which both Mrs Hart and Mr Millis appeared, gave ample opportunites of displaying their powers, jokes, songs and dances, following each other in quick succession. The last item on the programme was a sketch by Mr Millis, which enabled him to introduce his witty wooden headed contingent. Mention should be made of Miss Kate Russell, who contributed in no small degree to the success of the performance. The company appear here this evening for the last time.

Sauce for the gooß3 ia not always considered sauce for the gander, and the members of the Wanganui Education Board seem to hold an opinion of that sore. Yesterday they decided that a committeeman at Eltham, who had left the district for an adjacent township, had forfeited his right as a resident for "continuing " a member after having left the district. When Sir William Fox's case came on, however, the tune was different. Mr Bridge said that ifc appeared to him that the same principle applied, as the Education Reserves Act stated that the commissioners were to be persons eligible for seats on an education board, and according to the Education Act, clause 20, every person to be qualified must be above 21, and resident in the district. According to this Sir William Fox is not qualified, and if it is of any interest to Wanganui that a commissioner should represent our educational interests on this Board, it is time that the Education Board took steps to nominate somebody else. It is obvious that if the less responsible position of committeeman cannot be held by non-residents, such an important position as that of Commissioner for the Wanganui Educational District on the Wellington Board of Commissioners, for which Wanganui is entitled to elect one representative should not be so held