From the account of the fire published in another column it will be seen jjljat- there were suspicious circumstances which, every one will agree with us, need investigation, and we trust that no time will/be lost' in holding a strict enquiry. It cause" a feel ing of uneasiness among business people when they have reason to suspect that there is within the community anyone so evil minded as to wilfully sot fire to another person's premises, especially premises that are in the heart of the business blocks of the town. Fortunately the air was still last night, otherwise the fire might have had more serious consequences than it did, especially considering the delay that took place in playing water on the flames — another matter that calls for enquiry. As it was, the consequences were quite serious enough, for besides the monetary loss inclined by the insurance companies and owners of property destroyed, there was a narrow escape of loss of life. Had the prompt and perscivering efforts of Doctors Colo and Craig not succeeded in restoring young Roberts to animation, the incendinrist —if inceudiarist there be —would have had a far more serious crime than mere arson to account for. The experience of that young man should teach people a lesson to be careful how they run into burning buildings. The endeavor to save pro perty at a fire is very laudable, but the valour which some people affect to show on such occasions, when it involves great personal risks becomes foolhfivdincstj, and there have been several instances of that at fires in Gisborne. There should be, as we pointed out in connection with another fire not so long since, someone to. control and direct the efforts of tho wonld-'be salvagers, and in the absence of any organised salvage brigade it is the duty of the police to put a stop to tho indiscriminate and indiscreet rushing into burning buildings. The delay that occurred in bringing water to play upon the fire was most unfortunate, not that there would have been any chance of saving the building had it come sooner, but because the public become very impatient of delays such as these, and public confidence tends to be weakened iv a very excellent and capable brigade. 