Halifax . City Council. Special Committee on the Improvement of the Fire Department

“ It is laid down, as a rule of engineering, that the efficiency and value of any system of water supply, is in direct proportion to the quantity of water which can be stored with sufficient head, as near as possible to the points of consumption. The water systems of New York and Boston, though so enormously costly, are said, still, to be defective, from the want of head pressure; the nature of the ground not permitting better arrangements. ”

“ The Mayor of Boston states that, they are gradually taken the place of the common Hand-engines, and that, in consequence of their introduction, he hopes next year, to be able to reduce the expense of the Fire Department, some 20 or 30 thousand dollars.
The exertion necessary to work fire engines, by hand labour, is so exhausting, that it is very desirable steam power should be used, if possible. To be really useful, however, 6with us, Steam Fire Engines should be portable, and constructed on such a principle, as not to be easily put out of order. ”

“ It is, therefore, recommended, that a Company, or Companies, of not less than 50 able-bodied men, be raised in each of the six wards of the city, to be organized into one or more brigades, for the purpose of assisting at Fires, by working the Engines; and that the duty of organizing said Companies, in all 300 men, be left in the hands of the Firewards. The Committee have much pleasure in adding, that the Chairman of Firewards, D. Murray, Esq., has entered warmly into the project, and has undertaken, with the aid of his fellow-citizens, to carry it out. ”

“ If the respectable classes—the merchants, tradesmen, householders, and above all, the young men, natives or residents, of the city, would look at this matter in its proper light, there would be no necessity for the offering of any inducement, beyond what would be suggested by public duty, and mutual protection. ”

“ The Committee incline to the latter view.
If the business of the Union Engine Company were confined, solely, or chiefly, to the charge of the Engines, the Hose, and the Gear,—as, indeed, it should be,—it is the opinion of the most experienced Firemen, that the present Union Engine Company is strong enough for that purpose; all that is required, is a Company of able-bodied men to assist in working the Engines, after they are brought to the scene of action. ”

“ Supposing the rates of insurance to be doubled—as they may be; there is, at once, an extra sum of ten or twelve thousand pounds to be paid, every year, in cash—a sum more than sufficient to pay the interest on a capital of £150,000. To say nothing of protection from Fire, and the large amount which would 10be saved in the way of insurance, which a really efficient system of Water Works would give us, there are the additional considerations of health, cleanliness, and the promotion of manufacturing industry. ”

“ Were there no Water Works already in Halifax, the Committee would have no hesitation in recommending Mr. Longard’s scheme for the adoption of the Council. There are, however, certain advantages to be derived from the purchase 14of the Water Company’s Works, which ought not to be overlooked. There is the great advantage of having so much work already done, and an income at once available; which income, the Committee believe, might be considerably increased, by judicious management, under civic control, without becoming a grievance to any citizen. ”

“ The Committee cannot be supposed to know, and do not pretend to know, more of the matter under discussion than many of their fellow-citizens. They have endeavoured to discharge a very difficult task to the best of their ability, in the hope that such measures will ultimately be adopted by the Council, in reference to the supply of water, as will meet the expectations, and satisfy the present and future demands, of the whole community. ”

“ Take, for instance, the lowest sum 4proposed for direct payment—that is, ten dollars, a year, for each man. Three hundred men, at ten dollars each, will make £750; a sum which looks small, in comparison with the munificence of Boston; yet still, a very large sum for us. On the other hand, it has been urged, that any sum that we could afford to pay, would be really no consideration to any man above the condition of a pauper, and would fail to attract those whose co-operation it is most desirable to secure. ”

“ It is obvious, that we cannot venture to imitate such liberality as that. Neither is it to be forgotten, that the payment of three or four hundred men, either by remission of taxes, or by wages in money, would withdraw just so much, from our available resources. ”

“ The Committee have no doubt this would be an improvement as far as it goes; though it differs, very widely, from the views of Mr. Stone, the gentleman sent out from England to enquire into the cause of the late Fire. According to Mr. Stone’s notions, as detailed by him, in a memorandum submitted to the Committee, there should be a main pipe of not less than 3 feet, from the Long Lake to St. Andrew’s Cross; then a 2 feet main to the south end of Barrack Street, and another, to the north end of Brunswick Street, with 12-inch mains in every principal street of the city. ”

“ It is true, that for many purposes, the present Water Works, might be made with a comparatively small outlay, to answer tolerably well for some years to come; but in the all-important matter of protection from fire, it is their belief, that any patching of the present system, is mere trifling ”

“ The time may come, when the population and wealth of the city may warrant other arrangements, but in the meantime, and for some time to come, the Committee believe we must trust largely to voluntary exertion. ”

“ In reference to the Fire Department, the first topic the Committee had under consideration, and indeed, as far as they were capable of judging, the principal defect of the Department, 3was the admitted want of Firemen. The whole number of regular efficient Firemen, in the city, does not exceed one hundred, whereas, in the opinion of this Committee, there ought to be, at least, four hundred. Less than that number will not suffice for the proper working of the Engines. ”

“ Not many years after, the citizens of our sister city, lost one hundred and fifty thousand pounds, in one night, simply from the want of a sufficient supply of water.
It was the inefficiency of our Water Works for fire purposes, that first turned Mr. Edward Longard’s attention to this subject. The Committee will leave the further consideration of Alderman Twining’s Resolutions, for the present, in order to explain Mr. Longard’s scheme. As an intelligent native mechanic, and an experienced fireman, who has devoted much time, and thought, to the question of water supply, it is but fair to Mr. ”