The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-09-25
Fire Regulations.

In some parts Of Honolulu, if FIRE should get good
hold of any building of considerable size, no human
effort could prevent its spreading far and wide
The majority of the wooden buildings in that part of
the city which is occupied by shopkeepers are but SO
much finder. A fire that once attained any head
way would pass from one to another with great
rapidly, and its course would only be staid by the
prompt pulling down Of buildings ahead Of its
course. It is to be hoped that such q disaster may
never befall US. but the fact remains. and is made
plain to US by the experience of g hundred other
towns, that we may be awoke any night by the
alarm Of FIRE to witness just such a spectacle. Pre-
vention being better than cure it is well that
every precaution should be taken to prevent fires
from happening, and to check them at the very out
set of their career when they do happen. The law
though lamentably defective in many directions,
contains a number of useful provisions which have
not hitherto been strictly carried out by our citizens,
or enforced by the authorities. By the recent appoint
ment of Fire Marshal Mcclure il is intended that q
remedy shall be found for this state of things. and
we are glad to hear that we have in Mr.. Mcclure,
an active and conscientious officer who does not in
tend TO let Honolulu be the scene of q confagration
if his vigilance can suffice to prevent it.
AS some of the provisions of the law on this sub
ject are little known to those whose duty it is to obey
them, the Fire Marshal has very wisely caused
them to be printed in q separate form and has pre-
pared q circular warning owners and occupiers of
property Of their obligations, aud Of the penalties
they incur by neglecting them. We now reprint las
follows) the sections of the Civil Code which more
especially claim attention.
SECTION 1913. 1t shall be the duty of the Fire
Marshal twice in every year, and as much oitener
as he may think proper, TO examine the dwelling
houses and other buildings in the respective dis
tricts, Tor the purpose vi ascertaining any viola
tions OF ibis law I; also. To examine the fire places,
neaTths. chimneys, stoves aud stovepipes in the
respective districts. and upon iRding any Of them
defective ar dangerous he shall direct the owner or
occupant, by written notice. TO alter, remove, OF
amend the same and in Case q. neglect or refusal
so TO do, the party offending, on conviction, shall
forfeit and pay twenty-five dollars, for the benefit
at the Fire Department, and Tor every day Of The
times allotted for such alteration, removal or
amendment, the party SO offending shall forfeit and
nav the further sum of ten dollars, and the Fire
| Marshal may make such alteration. removal or
amendment at the expense Of the said owner or oc-
cupant.
SEcrIoS 339. 1t shall be the duty OF the Fire
Marshal to prosecute all persons guilty OF u viola
ton of any of the provisions of this law, before
the Police Court OF Honolulu, and they shall pay
over all fines collected to the Treasurer of the
Fire Department. deducting twenty per cent. of
snch zines for his respective services.
SECTION 34I. NO person snail, unless py per
mission of the Fire Marshal. kindle any FIRE, tar
furnish the materials for any 6re. nor in any way
authorize any ERE to be made. in any street, road.
lane, market-plaee or other highway, or on any
pier or wharf in the city, Except for the purpose
Of boiling tar, which FIRE, shall not he more than
ten feet from the end OF the pier or wharfO under
the penalty of Eve dollars for each offence.
SECTION S4s. Every building occupied As =
dwelling house in HOnolnlu, or as a store house,
or regular place OF business. shall be furnished
with at least two fire buckets. which shall be kept
in o conspicuous place. and ppon which the name
OF the owner shall be painted and all oe-
cupants Of buildings not so furnished shsll be lie.
bic to a 6ne not exceeding Ten dollars.