THE ROYAL OAK FIRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 439, 22 December 1898, Page 18

THE ROYAL OAK FIRE.

The City Council in Wellington seems to be waking up to the fact that there are some essential improvements absolutely necessary with regard to the extinguishing of fires and the provisions for escape from burning buildings. The appliances for fighting fire are bad enough throughout New Zealand, but in Auckland they are a standing reproach to the Council and community at large. We sincerely hope that this city will not receive another terrible lesson in the shape of a disastrous fire. The last one was bad enough, but fortunately no lives were lost. Now when the hotels are crowded with people for the Exhibition a fire like the Boyal Oak would sure to be attended with fatal consequences. At the City Council meeting in Wellington on Thursday night last it was moved “ That the Council desires to call the attention of the Licensing Committee to the fact that in certain of the hotels in the city there is very inadequate provision for escape from fire, and suggests that the most stringent measures be immediately taken to to compel all hotel proprietors to supply each room in their various hotels with ropes or other efficient means of escape.” It was pointed out that the Council had no authentic information on the subject, and the motion was negatived, only the mover and seconder voting for it. Subsequently motions were carried instructing the Fire Brigade Com mittee to make searching inquiry into the constitution, administration, and general conduct of the fire brigade and its appliances, including an inquiry into its actions at the recent fires, and that the By-Laws Committee be instructed to prepare by-laws for the safer construction of buildings for the accommodation ®f the public.