The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-16 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN FIRE-BRIGADE BILL.

Yesterday a special and very important meeting of the
representative vestry of St. Marylebone took place at the
Court-house, for the purpose of considering a proposal for
the introduction of a bill by Government, to take the Fire
Brigade out of the hands of insurance companies, and, by
means of a tax upon the ratepayers of the metropolis for its
support, place the control in the hands of the Metropolitan
Board of Works.
Mr. Churchwarden Hodges having been called to the

chair,
Dr. BACHHOFFNER contended that, as the Government
received an enorm, us amount in the shape of duty upon in-
surances, they had a right to sustain the expenditure of a
fire brigade if it was to be taken out of the hands of the in-
surance companies, and not tax the ratepayers for Welt a
purpose. It was proposed to raise a penny rate over the
whole metropolis, and as Marylebone would have to contri-
[alto about one twelfth of the whole, the matter was of the
highest importance to them. He moved a resolution to the
effect--That the members for Marylebone at the Metropo-
litan Board be requested to oppose the contemplated arrange"
meat of placing the Fire Brigade of the insurance offices
under the direction of that board unless the cost of main,
tenance and expenses incidental thereto be annually defraYee.
by the Government.
The motion having been seconded,
Mr, SHAW moved, as an amendment, "That the vestry
looked with anxiety at a further attempt on the part of the
Government to extend its interference with the princiPle*
of local self-manarment which it condemned as unconsti-
tutional and impolitic." Mr. Shaw contended that tho
whole tendency of the proceeding was centralisation, and
he believed the real plan was to put the matter in the hands,
of the police. If that were the case, they would have half
the parishes burnt down before they got assistance, and
they would be coolly informed by Sir R. Mayne that the
police were on some other duty.
Mr. WAKE seconded the amendment, and said if there
was to be any change to be effective, the Fire Brigade ough
t
to be in the hands of parishes and local boards.

This amendment was put and negatived.
Professor Mums was of opinion that the Metropolitan,
Board had quite as much business upon its hands as it could
possibly dispose for the advantage of the public and the
ratepayers, and that the members are requested to opP°sB
the bill unconditionally.
This was also seconded and negatived.
A third amendment was moved by Mr. FREETK, to at°
effect that he was opposed to any scheme for altering th'i
management of the London Fire Engine Establishment
which would throw the whole or the greater part of tile
expense of that establishment upon the ratepayers of ill!
metropolis ; and was alike opposed to the placing that
establishment under the control of the Metropolitan Board
of Works.

This having been seconded, t
Mr. NORTO.V said it appeared to him that the Governra.Jl
were determined to carry this measure, and if the Metropo-
litan Board refused the control, it would go to the police,
which would be infinitely worse.
Mr. VEREY agreed to some extent with Mr. Freetht
but he thought it a most unfair thing that not more thaa
one-third of the metropolis should pay for insurance, 31'1
that the others who had the benefit of a fire brigade in Os°
of fire should escape. The present organisation of the Fire
Brigade was mot inefficient, as the great fire at Londel:V
bridge and more recent cases testified. It wanted, therefore'
either a municipal or some other control than that of the
insurance companies. He therefore disagreed with the
latter part of Mr. Freeth's amendment, which repudiate
the control of the Metropolitan board of Works, for
looked upon the Metropolitan Board of Works as the eta"
bodimeut of local self-government. Mr. Verey pointed t°
New York, where large bodies of young men were enrolled
as members of the fire brigade, and considered that the ea°
principle could be carried out equally well in London.

Mr. Freeth's amendment was negatived.
Mr. FILMER considered that property requiring protee'
ti3n from fire should bear the expense, and that if the Pre-
sent system were changed, a separate board should be estab-
lished to manage the brigade, and charge the expense 11P°11
the insurance offices, the Government paying a fair propor-
tion for public buildings.
Mr. CARR considered the present system of supporting
the Fire Brigade was the proper one, and should be perPetw
ated by law.
A variety of other opinions were enunciated, and fivc
or
six amendments having been put and negatived,
Messrs. NICHOLAY and D'IFFANGER expressed an opi
nion that the Metropolitan Board, although they did not'
seek the power, would not hesitate to take the control of 02°
brigade if called upon to do so.
Ultimately an amendment was moved by Mr. Su uni.D3sl
and carried, that it be referred to a committee of the whole
board to oppose the measure.