PREVENTION OF FIRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 91, 27 January 1944, Page 2

PREVENTION OF FIRES.

PROHIBITIVE BY-LAW DESIRED. RURAL COMMITTEE’S INTENTION CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. That the lighting of fires in dry areas in the country should be definitely prohibited was suggested a-t the meeting of the Canterbury Rural Fire Prevention Committee yesterday. “We have always wanted to keep the organisation going- without the use of coercion,” said the chairman (Mr E. A. Cooney), “but I believe that in a dry season such as this a combined counties’ by-law, absolutely prohibiting the lighting of fires on land during a certain period, would have done the thing.”

Members generally concurred with the idea, pointing out that some counties had advertised requesting the greatest care, and emphasising tlie danger. But had those counties been able to invoke a by-law prohibiting the lighting of fires a great deal of damage would have been prevented, said Mr Cooney. “We should get a combined by-law put through before next year. That is our big job.” It was agreed that the committee should proceed with the proposal. Reporting on the progress generally in the organisation, the secretary (Mr P. R. Climio) said that the Railway Department had made a helpful gesture in a gift of £25 for tfie funds. Results were already in evidence from an extensive programme of free screen advertising granted by theatre proprietors in many rural centres. Effective roadside notices had been printed and erected, and further plans for the erection of more of these notices in dangerous areas next season were in hand. Mr Climie said lie thought gratification should be expressed to the Army for its co-opera-tion, particularly to officers commanding and men of the harvest camps.

Delays in Notifying Outbreaks.

Delays in notifying outbreaks were discussed, and the chairman remarked that in most cases it was a matter of those responsible not being “fireconscious.” Every effort was. being made to have sub-wardens made aware of their duties. Mr Cooney said it was the first real try-out, offered through the dry season, since the prevention scheme was properly organised. As it was, the scheme had so far worked very well. Mr Cooney and other members emphasised the need for continued caution against fires all over the country. The fire menace had been greatest this year. He had heard a statement by the Hon. D. Wilson (Minister of Broadcasting) suggesting steps to be taken to combat the danger, and to fight fires, but he thought Mr Wilson’s attention ought to be drawn to the Canterbuiy scheme, which might well be adopted as a pattern for all New Zealand. Mi Cooney thought the procedure suggested by the Minister was rather unwieldy.