The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-23 00:00:00

eyes to two important facts. First, that it is ab-

solutely indispensable for the metropolis to be fur-
_

- -
nished with effective fire brigades and powerful

engines; and, secondly, that no legal responsibility
devolves upon insurance companies to provide them.
Hitherto, it is true, that the combined companies
have, to a certain extent, performed this duty
voluntarily, of course for their own benefit, for in

the case of the destruction of insured property the
insurance office sustains the loss. Therefore, the

great boast that the representatives of these offices
have lately made of their liberality in expending

large sums for the maintenance of fire engines, &c.,

results simply in tho necessary precautions taken to
save their own pockets. Of late years London has
vastly increased in area; localities which but a short
time ago were quiet suburban retreats now form

densely populated portions of the metropolis, and it
became necessary to increase the number of
the fire brigade, which to some extent has been
done, but no new stations have, we believe, been
erected in remote districts ; also the jealousy of the
officers of the London Fire Brigade engines, dressed

in a little brief authority, has hitherto, to some ex._
tent nullified the exertions of volunteer engines
[which have, in many instances, arrived at the scene

of conflagration before those of the recognised bri-
gade), by putting obstacles in their way, and en-
deavouring, as far as possible, to keep ail the
glory to themselves. In a voluminous statement
published by Mr. FREDERICK HODGES, the pro-
prietor of the extensive distillery at Lambeth, this
practice is very justly complained of, and Mr.

HODGES has been induced to give publicity to the

treatment that his Volunteer Fire Brigade has
experienced at the hands of the London Fire
Brigade's servants, because all his applications to

the authorities at the head office in Watling-street
for redress have been pooh-poohed by the commit-
tee of the London Fire Brigade. Mr. HODGES
very properly claims the same privileges for his
engines as those vouchsafed to those of the London

Fire Brigade, or any other private establishments,
" We gather from the report of the select commit-

tee of the House of Commons, on fires in the Me
tropolis, that sat in 1862, that the London Fire
Engine Establishment was formed in 1852, partly
to put an end to the rivalry that existed between
the advertising Fire Brigades, maintained by the
different fire insurance companies in London, a
rivalry which was productive naturally of good, as
well as of some considerable evil on occasions of
fires," and partly " for the purpose of promoting
and encouraging greater efficiency in the
existing force." The London Fire Brigade is simply
a private enterprise, and although we do not wish
to detract one iota from the credit due to the offi-
cers and men of this establishment, as a body, for
daring and skill in extingishing fires, we cannot see
by what right they arrogate to themselves the
authority to prohibit the exertions of those who
have legally as much claim to be present to assist
as themselves. We have cited the case of Mr.
HODGES principally because his men and officers
are acknowledged to be the most efficient of the
volunteer brigades at present in existence. If it
were necessary we might mention numerous dis-
trict volunteer brigades which have been called into
existence by the isolation of the localities in which
they are situated from any of the London Fire Bri-
gade establishments. The only answer vouchsafed
to the petitioners for the erection of local establish-
ments is " provide it yourselves." These have
great reason to complain of discourtesy from the
representatives of those whose interests are so
deeply involved in the protection of property from
fire. We have particularly drawn attention to the
treatment of Mr. HODGES and others, partly to
show with what injustice they have been met with,
but more especially to demonstrate how absolutely
necessary it is to have this vexed question settled.
It is admitted by all who are at all acquainted with
the extent and power of the plant at present at the
disposal of the London Fire Brigade, that it is en-
tirely inadequate for the requirements of London
and its suburbs, while the number of its stations is
small, and those limited to what may be termed
the home circuit. The expense of maintaining this
ineffective force—some £25,000 yearly—is be-
grudged by the proprietors of offices which
receive nearly half a million sterling an-
nually in the shape of premiums or insurances.
Let, therefore, the Metropolitan Board of
Works undertake the responsibility which the
insurance offices are both unwilling and unable to
accomplish satisfactorily. But in undertaking such
an onerous duty, let no pains be spared to carry it
out in a manner befitting the representatives of this
vast city; let engines of the most improved con-
struction be placed in every district. The officers
in charge of the establishment and the engines
must have undisputed access to the water-mains,
independently of the parish authorities and the
turncocks, so that no obstruction may be placed in
their way. The assistance of volunteers would still
be useful, but, except in cases of extraordinary con-
flagrations, their attendance beyond their own
localities might not be necessary, We are certain
that Mr. HODGES, or any other enterprising and
philanthropic gentleman, or those in charge of their
engines would be happy to act under the direction
of the legal authority, whose duty it would be to
show them every courtesy, and render them any
necessary assistance. Finally, we trust that the
motion so energetically brought forward last session
by the member for Dudley will this year become
law, and that the heavy tax on insurances may be
reduced thirty-three per cent., or from three shil-
lings in every hundred pounds insured to two
shillings, and a few years further on to one shilling.
If this is, as we trust it will be the case, the public
will not feel the expense of aiding in part to main-
tain an effective fire brigade. But the insurance
companies must bear their share; each ought to
pay in proportion to their income no inconsiderable
proportion of the expense. If railway companies
are controlled by Acts of Parliament, why not in-
surance companies. Yet if these be obdurate, why
should not a Metropolitan Mutual Fire Insurance
Company be started under the auspices of the
Metropolitan Board of Works; in short, an insur-
ance company whose dividends would be divided
amongst the insured, who pay for the means of
extinguishing the fires.

HIS MAJESTY NAPOLEON 111., AND M. 'NIERS.
—Of the Emperor's speech to the Cardinal, in
answer to his discourse, so much has already been
said in all the daily journals, both in this country and in
England, and it has caused such profound sensation in all
circles that it would be unnecessary here to do more than
allude to its effects. It is looked upon ty all parties and
classes as a manifestation, and a direct evidence of his Ma-
jesty's annoyance at the course the discussions engaged in
the Legislative Assembly, between certain members of the
Opposition and the Ministers of the Government, are assum-
ing. That these offensive, even more than animated,
strictures, will tend to a reactionary line of policy on the
side of Louis Napoleon, seems only too probable. The
excitement produced in political circles last week was ex-
cessive, and all sorts of rumours were afloat. One of these,
gathered, however, in an Orleanist saloon (which one is
obliged for that reason to accept with mistrust) was, that
M. Thiers, soon after his first and remarkable oration, had
been called in by the Emperor, who, thanking him for the
moderato manner in which ho had expressed his views and
spoken of him personally, had proposed, to the obi poli-
tician to form a Cabinet combined of the more moderato of
the Opposition members, himself at the head. M. Thiers
had, it is said, declined, telling the Emperor to wait, for he
had not said all he had to say, and perhaps his Majesty's
feelings might undergo a very considerable change ere the
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