PETERSFIELD.
THE LATE FIRE.
Sir.—It remains to be seen, after the late fire, whether we are to continue in our present state of almost hopeless insecurity from the want of proper and efficient engines and well-trained hands, to give full effect to their saving power in the hour of need; for it must not be forgotten that this is the second warning given within the last twelve months the first being at Mr. Harffey’s (which appeared in these columns), in October when, alas! the keys of the engine-house were not found till the day after the fire. We may therefore ask if we are still to continue on, unprepared against the coming of the fiery demon, whose stealthy approach may next be in the dead hour of the night, when life and property may be subjected to his all-consuming advent? and when the knowledge of our perfect inefficiency, with the attendant confusing consequences, would flash across our senses, and tend to render our exertions but of little avail against his all-destructive power.
Is it, there is no one (amongst the many) to stand forward to induce a public meeting to be called, that a sense of the inhabitants may be taken in a matter of such vital interest?
We have a noble example set before us by our neighbours of' Midhurst, who (being placed exactly in the same position) well backed up the exertions of two or three energetic tradesmen of the place, that originated the safety movement, by whose endeavours £150 has been promised, and which will be more than necessary to purchase the engine, which is already ordered of the Messrs. Merryweather, and called ‟the Paxton.” The surplus will go towards a fund for purchasing the uniforms of the ‟Volunteer Fire Brigade,” which has no lack of volunteers, 50 names being down on the list; and we !earn that a committee has been appointed—viz., W. C. Webber, Esq., Messrs. T. Othen, D. Wolferston, W. N. Packham, J. Parker, J.Simmonds, Wm. Joyes, and James Etherington.
We now rest with perfect confidence upon the liberality of the inhabitants of our town and the gentry of the neighbourhood to be up and doing, well knowing what they have done in the last 20 years. We also rely with confidence that our young men would advance to the front to wear the honourable uniform of the Volunteer Fire Brigade.—I am, &c., M. P. V. B.