Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-05-14

that year there were only $50 fires re-
ported against 709 for 1896. The total loss
of fires in 1895 were only pol against 239
for 1886 The damage is consequently
greater, being only sl,o9S,Oo7 for 1876
against 81, 16i. 605 for 1886.
1t may here be noted. however. that
the law comparatively a recent one, has
become more familiar to the municipal
officers. with more complete returns in
consequence.
The most striking figures in the above
table are those which relate to incendiary
and unknown causes 60 and 224 respective
ly. with a total loss of $5iS. $50 giving an
average loss per capita of the States
population of nearly s1ooo! These figures
are alarming. II is just with a View Of
investigating into the causes, that the
recent laws nave been created, The mu-
nicipal authorities should investigate
within three days of fire. 1t is under
stood that many of the cities are reticent
in their returns, and. If it continues, The
commissioner will shortly investigate
them fires and all. whether they be at
Bowdoinham or the Capital city.
ne CGllpdTdllN" Ittuii IFS SHV" an ~
crease in accidents. While in 1893 there
were only 10 attributed TO accidental
causes in 1896 there were 39 In 1898,
three kettles of fat boiled over, while
there were none in 1896, an evidence that
fat boilers are getting more careful. The
number attributed to carelessness was
eight for each year. The number of fires
caught from children playing with fire
and matches. has been reduced from % to
10. perhaps an Indicator of better be-
havior among children generally. In 1880
one fire was reported to be caused by
"kindling fire with kerosene. None
were reported in 1896, and it is possible
that this reckless class is becoming
extinct. To rats and mice. six fires were
attributed in 1895. while only one was
renorted in 1896 The number attributed
ia unknown causes has increased 32 a
rather ,iiscouraging situation. There Is
a great increase in the number OF Hres
attributed to defective fues and chin
news from S6 in 1895 to 143 in 1876
The returns giving the description Oh
property destroyed is very interestlilS-
The totals show an increase of insurance
placed on buildings and contents DC
stroyed or partially destroyed by hfe
amounting to ST. 43S.3i5 for 1876 against
81 34S. ri for 1885 The total values OF
property thus insured was. respectively
y ,17 47e and 81. .7g9 225 making the IN
,coaso in amount of insurance place even
tba greater. as even the greater value OF
property failed to reach by cohslderaoie
as high an amount of insurance as ihat
for 1896.
The value of buildings in which the Sc
fras were was 81. $50 56S; damaged to the
extent of s735 5S3; insured Tor $'o''o-o' VI
which sSe6. .225 was paid. The Vaiue Vi
contants was sss5. .o)S. damaged to the ex-
toni of s42s. 2l2: insured for A1o'2o' OF
which s2s7. .osI has been paid
The bindings burned to greater oi
less extent include three barber siiopS'
harms (44 for 1891 blacksmith SHOPS p
boarding houses. 5; churches o u"eii-
ings. 99i: t92o for 1880; hen house l. no
tolls o. Jewish synagogue. /; potato
houses. 4; sausage factory l. "a" ihii'7
q. schoolhouses Z; skating fliih' l. s'"p
ho,,se and hoggery, /; stables is; Steam
boats. q. stores, l47. go for 1891 ana
summer residences. :. The list lneiuues
142 different descriptions OF iiiuua'iie ies
etc. burned. partly or wholly
Governor Powers and the executive
councu will be in session. TINS moriiiiis'
| the hour for opening BENG SCI at ~
| O'Clock. The hearing on the parooh oi
James Lowell is called for 10 a. NJ
Hon. s. w. Matthews. the iapoi eoi'
! missioner. has started on his Trip south
to attend the national convention o. "a
Dor commissioners to be held in Nash
| vile. Tenn.
| The inland fish and game eoiii.ii7si,''.
were AT the State House, Ihuis isu's' 'ioi'
ing their regular monthly meeting, oon-
missioner carleton caught . prize at Sc
baeo a few days ago. lo'a-p'nhd salmon
among others. The fish was caught wi'h