THE FIRE BRIGADE. The GOVERNOR said they now came to an ordinance in which the government had done the best it could to provide against fires.
Mr. KESWICK said that at this stage he would mention that there was a very general feeling in the community that this ordinance, which provided for the establishment of a fire brigade ut the cost of additional taxation. should not be passed. His Excellency had stated in introducing the ordmance at the last meeting of Council that the Insurauce offices had not been ready to give assistance in organ. ising a brigade. On the contrary, the offices were most anxions that a brigade should he establishel, but they were anxions that it should be a volanteer brigade, and not a govern- meut brigade. The only difficulty in the way of orgainsing a volunteer brigade was that of officering it. The volunteers would serve under a volunteer officer. He concluded by saying that be would propose the postponement of legislation on this subject.
The GOVERNOR,-Are you waiting for an- other fire ?
The AUDITOR-GENERAL said the Insurance offices would neither allow their engines to work in harmony with the others, nor would they pay nything towards the general expense of brigade.
Mr. KESWICK believed a volunteer brigade could be orgainsed, if it were not for the diff- culty about its officer.
The COLONIAL-“DORETARY,--The volunteers minst be under some officer.
The KESWICK,--Under their own.
The GOVERNOR said he would not wish it to be supposed that the government was more auxious toprotecttheproperty of the community than the comumnity was to be protected. If Mr. Keswick ould prove that the general feeling was against the formation of a brigade, there was no con- stitutional reason why the government should insist on it. The government however had been found fault with für delaying to act in this mat- ter. This delay had been in a measure caused by the Insurance offices. He had expected that Mr. Keswich would have been a warm supporter of the present effort, as in the beginning he had expressed a readiness to have the engines under his care inspected. A commission had been appointed by the representatives of the In- surance offices, and after a long delay they made a report. On this repeat, he (the Go- vernor) had a written a minute for the Execu- tive Council, which, as the discussion bad taken its present course, he would read to them. The miunte was dated 13th January. His Excel. lency then read the aiunte, in which he said that on the 10th of December he had transmitted to Mr. Keswick a report by Mr. May, on the sub- ject of a fire brigado, inquiring how far the in- surance companies would be willing to grant a paid officer of the Government power to inspect and report on the state and efficiency of their en- gines: secondly, whether they would be willing to enter any of their men as members of a Government Fire Brigade; and, thirdly, whether they would give any pecuniary aid to the formation of such a brigade :--
"After the lapse of nearly a month, the en- closed memo, containing several opinions of the sub-committee appointed to consider the matter", was banded to me by Mr. Keswick. as expres- sing the views of the Insurance Companies, and nothing can be more unsatisfactory and more barren of useful suggestions.
Whilst stating that the formation of a Volunteer Fire Brigade appears undesirable and impracticable, they think it the special: duty of Government to form a Fire Brigade, and maintain at the public expense.
"They decline placing their engines under Government inspection of any kind, and merely suggest that engines of the insurance coni- panies in future be so made that their hose should be adapted to fit the Government hy- drants, which supply the only water available in many parts of the town.
In other words, after considering the sub- ject for several weeks, they can only suggest that engines for throwing water should be so con- structed as to enable them to be supplied with water"
Mr. KESWICK said that the mistake which the Governor made in that minute was that he confounded the Insurance Offices with the com- munity. The Insurance Offices took action in the matter on behalf of the community, and the community experienced this difficulty which be had spoken of about the officers
The GOVERNOR said he could hardly be ex- pected to discern this delicate distinction, as the committee represented the Insurance Company who appointed them, but in any case it was not possible to suppose from the papers which accompanied that memo. which he had just read, that the Insurance Offices ad- vocated the establishment of a volunteer bri. gade.
Mr. KESWICK,-Your Excellency confounds the offices and the community.
The GOVERNOR. Then it is worse!" If the committee which furnished the report re- presented the community, then it was worse that they should first delay so long, and then send in such a report as that which he had re- ceived. For he would say that this report had greatly disappointed him. There was no ex- pression in it whatever of sympathy with the efforts of the Government. He appealed to Mr. Ronnie, who had been concerned in the negotiations with the offices on a previons oc- casion. to know if there bad not been an an- tagonistic feeling displayed by their represen- tatives.
Mr. Ryete said that he thought the rate pro- posed. 4 per cent., unnecessary large.
The GOVERNOR said there must be something for him to show as a means of paying for the new expense. The exact amount of the rate was a question for the Treasurer.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL,-Why not do as they do at home, and make the offices pay?
The GOVERNOR.-Perhaps Mr. Keswick would like to propose some resolution to that effect. (A laugh).
Mr. KESWICK, thought it would be a very unfair proceeding.
The GOVERNOR said he did not propose it, but at home a rate in aid of the expense of the fire brigade was charged against the Insurance Offices, and in addition to this they were patrio. tic enough to pay a considerable sun as a voluntary contribution.
Mr. KESWICK said he did not deny that the proposed ordinance was a favourable one for the Insurance Offices.
Mr. DUNCANSON thought I percent. too high, though he was not opposed to the fire brigade.
A miscellaneous discussion here ensued as to the amount which would be necessary to cover the expense of the brigade.
Mr. RENNIE said that one per cent, would only raise $15,000. The Governor did not think that the proposed rate, & per cent., would cover the cost of the brigade. At the end of this cou- versation,
The GOVERNOR turned to Mr. Keswick, and asked big whether he really wished for delay in this matter.
Mr. KESWICK thought that after the remarks that had been made. it would be better to pro- ceed with the ordinance.
The GOVERNOR observed that Mr. Keswick having spoken on behalf of the community, now thought it was time to say a word for the In- sumuco Offices. (Laughter).
The COUNCIL. then went into committee on the bill, some verbal alterations were made. after which it was read a second time and passed. THE STAMP ACT.
In committee on this ordinance the Council fixed the stamp on transfers at 50 cents per $500, with this alteration the bill was passed. The Conneil was then adjourned till the fol- lowing day at 4 p.m
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