独立的消防部门。

独立的消防部门。

Judge Duff, in a recent address delivered by him to the Grand Jury at St. John, N. B., referred to the great conflagration that occurred in that city on the 20th of June last. He said :

“As to the Fire Department, it might have been that the fire could not have been stayed by any human power, and it might be a matter for the jury to consider whether the fire Department would not be more efficient if uncontrolled by the Common Council. If a Chief Engineer is to be held responsible for the men under him he ought to have the power to employ and discharge them. The act says that the Common Council j may appoint a Chief Engineer and District Engineers, and every member of the Department. It is therefore obvious that the responsibility must be on the Common Council. Every Fireman holds his appointment at the pleasure of the I Council. Section 5 lays down the duties of the ! members. The Chief Engineer has not even the ! power of prescribing the duties of the District j Engineers. The Chief Engineer has no power { to delegate to a substitute his command. All his ' power is held by a body at whose pleasure he may be discharged. Section 33 inflicts a fine of j $4 for the first offence, in the case of disobediI ence, and on a second offence he may be dismissed. The Chief Engineer may suspend him, I and report to the Chairman of the Fire Commit-! tee, and that Committee may investigate and report to the Common Council. It did not seem that this was the best way of enforcing discipline, ! If the jury thought a Fire Department ought to ! be established outside of the Common Council, having a Chief Engineer who would be responsible for all, they should bring in a presentment to that effect."