Mar. 16.
Wiruty a week of the issuance of the report of the Chief of the Vire Brigade, the calamitous predictions which it contained have been largely fulfilled. The fire insurance companies are today endeavouring to adjust the greatest loss which any single fire in China has caused, and the fact has provided food for much serious reflexion. The evils which the late conflagration has brought into the most glaring light are tuy numerous to be dealt with in the scope of one short article. Mr.- Pett has adverted in his report to the dangers existing from an inadequate water pressure, a deficiency in the number of hydrants, the absence of proper precautions in godowns where cargo of enormous value is warehoused. and kindred subjects, but beyond all these we have to remember the evils wrought by competition in insurance circles. AN have a share in the case under
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.