'THE announcement of Messrs, Jardine, Matheson & Ca. that they are about to store kerosene oil at the Old Ni po Wharf, and their request that the Secretary of the Manicipal Council will satisfy himself that the "locality and place"—a fine distinotion—is one where the oil may safely be placed in godown, Lave not unnaturally giver certain anxious questionings. evident that many persons Lave been under the impression that the storage of inflammable matter within the limits of the Settlement is in itself illegal and it is therefore well to establish the plain fact that such is not the case. Ib only illegal when By-law XXXII of the Manicipal Regulations is not complied with, and this By-law pro" vides simply that "on articles of this nature being brought within euch limits, immediate notice shall be given by the importer, consignee, or owner thereof to the Seoretary of the Council, whose duty it will be to assign the locality or place within which such goods may be safely stored." It is clear from this that the storage of plosive or otherwise dangerous goode perfectly legal when certain oonditio have been complied with, and Mosera. Jardine, Matheson & Ca, are ea far well within their rights as the rontter under discussion stands at present. But we conceive it possible enough, according wording of the By-law, for the hele storage anywhere within the lie to forbid
mits, There is nothing that binds him to assign a "locality or place" where the slightest possible danger to life or property would exist; there is nothing, in fact, which binds him to permit ils storage within the limite of the Settlement at all. His duty is simply lo assign a place; and ib is clear that the place he assigns ought to be isolated, and as far as possible from any other houses or godowns, native or foreign, Whether the Old Ningpo Wharf anewers to this requirement is a matter for the Council to cor r. We should scarcely think it did, unless very extensive and exceptional precautions are taken, such as the enclosure of the godowns in a fires wall, and the surrounding of the fires mall by ditch; and we should suggest that the very fullest advantage be taken by the Secretary of the power which the By-law places in his ace in @ country place, To store not Kerosine oil should be kep!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.