Fire Brigade Matters.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 21, 16 March 1908, Page 6

Fire Brigade Matters.

MILTON TO REMAIN A FIRE DISTRICT BOROUGH COUNCIL NOT SCARED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES. As stated in last issue Fire Brigade matters formed a fruitful topic for discussion at last meeting of the Milton Borough Council. Mr E, M. Brookes, secretary pro tern to the newly-formed Milton Fire Board, wrote in terms ot the resolution adopted by the Board, asking whether the Council intended to take advantage of section 7 of the Act of 1907 to have the Milton Fire District abolished. He also torwarded the estimated expenditure for the incoming year, as published last week.

Speaking on the matter, His Worship said it appeared to him that the agents of the insurance companies were trying to frighten the local authorities with the estimate of expenditure. If they adopted the suggestion to take advantage of the clause in the Act to abolish the fire district, it would free the companies from all responsibility and from contributing to the funds of the brigade. They could not shut their eyes to the fact that year after year the people had to contribute to the upkeep of the brigade. It was a useful body all must admit, and had rendered good service in the past. The tax fell heavily on those called upon to contribute, and he would like to see the necessary expenditure derived in some other way. Taking the item, buildings, it had been stated that they should be erected to the satisfaction of the inspector, but that was not so. The expenditure on buildings and land rested with the Board, not the inspector. Then the borough and the companies would contribute half each of total amount of the expenditure, less the contribution from the Government—namely, io per cent., which would cover the cost of public buildings. If they found that during the first year the expenditure was too heavy, they had power to raise money by way of separate rate on the value of the buildings; or with the consent of the Minister the period of time in which the rate was payable could be extended. The Board, then, not the inspector, had to maintain an efficient Fire Brigade. A point made by Mr Webb was that the Board required the Council to hand over the land on which the buildings were erected, but the Act was not clear on that poinr. Cr Grey: The Board did not emphasise the point. His Worship, continuing, quoted section 29 of the Act, and said if the matter was pushed it would have to be referred to arbitration, but in their case he did not think the matter would crop up. Section 30 provided that the

Board should appoint officers and fix salaries, but he thought the members would be willing to act in a voluntary capacity, and that they would have the same privileges and feel the same pleasure in their work as at present. The secretary's salary would only be a very small item. As there were only four statutory meetings in the year and only bare travelling expenses allowed, the expenses of the delegates would be about £s, and not £l6, as stated. The cost of insurance on the buildings and men would be small. He considered the present buildings would suffice for some years to come, but in the event of having to purchase a new site, one could be got in Eden street, near the old butcher's shop, for That would be central and would increase in value. He did not suppose the Board would dream of purchasing a fire engine, and run them into 10, until they had a water supply. The present appliances were all they could hope to have as presently situated. Buying an engine would be like using a sledge hammer to crush a gnat. They ought not to be frightened by the bogey. He strongly favored the Board; he presumed they would use their powers with prudence and discretion just in the same way as in their own business ; and he had also every confidence in their own delegates, and was of the opinion that no undue expenditure would be allowed to take place. They should certainly refuse to take advan tage of the clause in the Act. Mr Reid then touched on the duties of inspector, and pointed out that regulations could be made by the Governor, but they could not override the provisions of the Act. In fact, in conclusion, he said that as a body they had everything to gain Cr Grey said that he agreed with every word said by his Worship, and would simply move that the letter be received, and that this Council affirm the previous resolution in regard to Milton being declared a Fire District. Cr Campbell said as far as he could hear, the opinion was general that if there was not a Board there would be no Brigade. He thought there should be a separate rate struck for the upkeep of the Board, as it was not fair that some should be asked to contri bute and others get off without paying. He knew it the Brigade saved some men £IOOO, next day they would retuse to contribute. A rate should be struck to keep the Board going. He had much pleasure in seconding the motion.

His Worship said he had mentioned a separate rate, but they had the power to take money out of ordinary revenue if the rates could stand it ; they had also power to make a rate on the land and buildings if necessary. Cr Campbell: It does not matter whether it is a separate rate or not as long as the money comes out of the public coffers. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Cr Grey said it would be well to authorise the hall committee to take action in regard to the buildings, as the Board would want to know what it would have to pay for them.

Cr M'Kinnon moved in this direction, Cr Taylor seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. The Fire Brigade's Committee was authorised to report on the state of the plant and its value, on the motion of Crs Grey and Gray.