RECENT GRASS FIRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9450, 22 February 1921, Page 5

RECENT GRASS FIRE.

ATTENDANCE OF BRIGADE. COUNTY COUNCIL'S COMPLAINT. STATEMENT BY BRIGADE SECRETARY. The Ashburton County Council, I which has taken up the question of the recent fire on and near the racecourse, wrote to the Borough Council last evening stating that Messrs R. and D. McDonnell had written, pointing out that th,e Fire 'Brigade, when called upon, did not turn out, although expense was guaranteed. It was stated that the Council had subscribed £15 per annum to the Brigade's funds since 1901 and £10 towards the recent fire brigades' demonstration, and the Council considered that the .. brigade should have gone out when requested. The matter was referred to m a letter from Mr F. S. Nicholls. secretary to the brigade, who stated that the officials of the brigade did all they could m connection with the fire. Superintendent Barber was at the scene, and he considered it useless to take the steam- fire engine out, as there was not enough water m the race, and when he left, he considered the fire was safe. . He went out again m the afternoon with Coiinty Engineer and Mr F. Ferriman, and they were quite satisfied that the danger had passed. The brigade was ready to | do its duty at any time if circumstances permit. During the period stated by the Council, the brigade liad been called out on 23 occasions, and 1 therefore it did not consider that the Council's donation was very liberal. The alarms from outside the Borough represented 12 per cent of the alarms since 1901. The brigade trusted that the Council would go into the matter ok boundaries, and give the brigade avbetter idea of what was required. Mr Watt said that as far as the bri--1 gade was concerned, its members were quite ready to go ouV but it was not considered necessary for .them to do so. Further, had they "gone out, there was not sufficient water for the engine to pump. The County Council should be satisfied that the brigade had gone out whenever necessary. Mr W. G. Hillier supported this statement, and thought the 'brigade had acted quite properly. , It was decided to send a copy ot the brigade's letter to the County Council.