RECENT BUSH FIRE

NO CHARGE BY FIRE BOARD

In view of the fact that it was a seenie reserve and tho property of tho citizens of Wellington, the Wellington Fire Board to-day decided not ,to make a charge for the attendance of brigadesmen at the fire at Mahina and Day's Bays on 12th Fobruary which destroyed a big area of native bush. Tho question of a charge was raised owing to the fact that the fire was outside. the Wellington fire district. In a report-on \ho : matter Superintendent J. Creeke stated that the; Director of Parks and Reserves urgently requested the assistance of the brigade. Tho deputy-superintendent and throe men went over to the scene of the lire, and on realising the danger to the City Council property, the deputy instructed the three members of the brigade to remain on duty until the fire was under control. The usual charges for fires' outside the Wellington City fire district were . as, follows:—-Officer-in-charge (other, than superintendent), 10s -Get for the first hour and 5s for each succeeding hour; firemen, for the first hour ss, and for each succeeding hour 3s; for a motor-hose carriage or equivalent, £2 10s. • .

It was suggested that a charge of £5 5s should bo made, but tho majority of members did riot agree with this. Mr. C; D. Morpeth said that it would appear that the board was "hungry." Mr. M. Marks was also against the proposal to charge. It had to be remembered, he said, that at least 200 workers gave their services in helping to suppress the fire besides the three members of the brigade.