FIRE CONTROL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 151, 28 June 1945, Page 8

FIRE CONTROL

SUBURBAN AREAS

AMALGAMATION QUESTION

Requests from the Otahuhu and Devonport Borough Councils for a statement as to the Auckland Metropolitan Kire Board's attitude to a proposal that they should join the board were received at yesterday's meeting. Discussion showed that board members were not prepared to give a definite answer as to the board's view until certain investigations had been made. It was decided that the board should inform the Otahuhu Council that, as it had made out its estimates for the current year, it could not take in Otahuhu this year, but that in the meantime the board would like certain information so that it might consider the matter before the beginning of the next financial year. The board wanted to know whether the council owned the site of the existing fire station, and, if not, the proposed site of a new station and its approximate cost; a list of existing fire fighting plant and the cost to the board if it was taken over; the number of men and the wages paid at the present station; and also any other information which would assist the board in gaining an approximate estimate of the cost of taking over the existing plant and station site.

The Devonport Council stated that it had three proposals before it— amalgamation with the metropolitan board; the formation of a separate fire board; or the formation of a separate North Shore Fire Board, incorporating one or more of the other North Shore boroughs—and sought the board's view. It also asked the board to allow its deputysuperintendent, Mr. G. A. MacKenzie, to meet the council and report to it on the fire services in Devonport.

A resolution, stating that the board favoured the formation of a North Shore Board, was moved by the chairman, Mr. B. Brigham, but was later withdrawn, after a number of members had expressed the view that they should have time to obtain reports on the proposals and to consider the matter.

From an efficiency point of view amalgamation would be an advantage to the North Shore, but not to the board, the superintendent, Mr. W. L. Wilson, stated. Otahuhu was in a different position, and there would be mutual benefits from amalgamation in that case.

After further discussion, it was decided to inform the Devonport Council that the board was prepared for Mr. MacKenzie to meet the council and report on the fire services to the council and to the board. The matter of amalgamation, it was resolved, should be deferred pending the report of Mr. MacKenzie, and also a report from the superintendent.