FIRE RISKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 233, 29 September 1908, Page 3

FIRE RISKS.

" I . -' DANGER OF OVERHEAD WIRES. li E j An important letter was read at the ' meeting of the Grey Lynn Council last - night, from the secretary of the Auck- - ! land Fire Underwriters' Association. It ■" j was as follows: —'I am entrusted to 1 ■ bring under your notice and serious conr I .iucratiuii the danger existing from fire i to property facing streets where tramI way wires'arc installed. The danger is s caused through want of proper pres j cautions to prevent live feeder, trolley, - ior other tramway wires fouling or com.'ing in contact with telegraph and telcr ! phone wires. Our electrical inspector >' i has reported on the whole question to 3\ u_ and has cited several cases that have . ! happened of late where the current has 1 | been transmitted to buildings, thereby

causing lire through broken telephone wires coming into contact with tramway wires, and this Association consumers that the present construction of the tramway system is very defective from the. fire point of view, and is a serious menace to life and property. I 1 am further instructed to urge upon your Council the absolute necessity of i exercising its full powers, bestowed upon ■it in the deed of delegation and Order-in-Council, which provides that the construction of the tramway wires is to be !in accordance with the British Board of I Trade regulations, and if these re.gulaI tions are carried out they will greatly minimise the danger referred to, which at present is a very serious matter. llf you wish it our electrical inspector 1 will be pleased to confer with you to assist in bringing about the necessary I chancres. As the matter is of great im

changes. As the matter is oi great, importance your attention and early reply is kindly requested." Mr. Boldsworth asked if the Council had the power to order the wires to be laid under ground. The Mayor said the Council had the 'power to "make tbe Company lay the i wires in accordance vith the deed of j delegation, but that did not entail laying underground wires. The letter was referred to the Fire Brigade and Waterworks Committee to report.