FIRE PROTECTION.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15395, 28 September 1915, Page 9

FIRE PROTECTION.

MEETING AT FENDALTON. DEFINITE ACTION* PROPOSED. A pnblic mooting, convened to consider the best steps to bo adopted to provide for firo prevention in Fendalton, waa held in the church schoolroom last night. Mr O. T. J. Alpers was voted to the chair. There was a large attendance. On the chairman's motion, those present standing, it was resolved: "That this meeting of residents of Fendalton dessres to express to the families of the late Mrs Cookson and of .Mr F. W. I'rceman, its very deep sympathy in the great loss that lias fallen on them." The chairman said that the recent fire had very strongly impressed upon them the necessity for the establishment of a tjre brigade. There v. - ere several courses open to them. To join the city would <jive them the services of a fire brigade but automatically the district would be brought under the rating on unimproved values, nnd most of them looked with disfavour on an increase in their rates. Another suggestion was that Fendalton should be formed into a borough, and set up a fire district, to be part of the Christchurch I'ire District. This, ho understood, would involve a poll, which would mean

expenses. Another suggestion was that the Borough of Riccarton and the districts of Fendalton and Papanui should form a fire district, tho brigade to bo stationed at Fendalton, midwav between the two cr.ds of the district. Hp moved: ''That this meeting of residents of Fendalton deem it urgently necessary to take some steps to provide tho district with protection against fire."

Mr S. A. Staples, chairman of flic Waimairi County Council, seconded the motion, and said that lie did not agree with the suggestion that Fendalton should join Greater Christchurch. He suggested the formation of small volunteer fire brigade:, in tho thickly populated parts of tho district, and said that it was estimated that the equipment of such a brigade would bo about £350. Attached to these brigades could be hook and ladder brigades, and it might be desirable to liavo ono engine. Mr Marshall said that ho did not think the residents of Fendalton would approve of any of the schemes so far suggested. Ho thought that the Christchurch Fire Brigade could provide a small plant suitable for the suburbs, and tiro or threo men to man the plant, which, when a fire occurred, would bo worked by the volunteer brigade in the particular suburb in which the firo occurred.

Mr Hopkins, a member of the Christchurch Firo Board, explained that tho previous speaker did not understand the constitution of the Fire Board, or _ ho would riot have made such a suggestion.

Mr L. Birks said that ho ;;ot considerable experience of fire brigade work in Rotorua. Ho favoured the formation of a local volunteer brigade, tho equipment of which ought not to exceed £500 (including manual engine), or £900 (including motor engine). He urged prompt and immediate action, and said that an initial expenditure of £20 would provide a hand-cart, and a ladder, which would form the nucleus that could be added to by the County Council. ■ ... Mr Arlow said that though residents of Fcndalton, they looked upon themselves as citizens of Christchurch, and ho urged a broad view of the matter, and an attempt to 'com© to some arrangement with the city. By_ joining the city they would obtain certain benefits for which they should be prepared to pay. Volunteer brigades had proved ineffective and unsatisfactory. The /ire station at St. Albans coruld serve Fcndalton very well.

The motion was agreed to unanimously. _ The chairman thought they should try to clcar tho ground by deciding whether or not tbero existed a strong feeling in favour of joining Greater Chriatchurch or of forming a separate borough. They had to stand on their own Bottom as a district, and provide for their own fire protection. To test these matters he moved, -pro forma: "That this meoting affirms the desirableness of Feudal ton joining Greater Christchurch." Mr Arlow seconded the motion, mid said he understood that the district oouW amalgamate with Christ-church without changing its present riding systcm. .Mr Staples said that such a thing was impossible under tho existing law. Tho motion, on being put, was negatived on tho voices. A similar result attended the submission of a motion affirming tho desirableness of tho district being formed into a borough. Mr Firth asked if Mr Hopkins could explain on what terms tho Chris tchurcb Firo Board would undertake to proviso fire protection for tho district. M> Hopkins said that the Board would* not accept any individual guarantees, and ho did not know whether tho Board would accept a guarantee from a County Council. Mr Staples moved, and Mr S. Bullock seconded: "That a committee should bo set up to report to a meeting, to be held within a fortnight, regarding a scheme for fire protection." Mr D. Crozicr hoped that the committee would £io into the matter thoroughly : some of tho suggestions made would be of very little practical valuo. Ho urged that there should bo two or three permanent men employed. Mr C. C. Warner. Superintendent of tlie Christchurch Fire Brigade, explained that under the amending Act of 1914 it was possiblo for the Board to agree to provide firo protection for the whole or a part of the Fondalton district. Tho chairman poiutcd out that this appeared tho best solution of the problem. It would be possiblo to have, in addition, a local firo police.

The motion was agreed to

The following committed wa« elected: —Messrs S. A. Staples, t>. Bullock, O. T. J Alpers L. Birks, D Crosier, H. O. D. Men res, and J. F. Parsonson. The ooramittee was authorised to take any steps nccessary for fire protection in tho meantime. Mr Birks moved, and Mr a. Barnctt seconded: "That a Volunteer Fire Police be formed." Mr Monteath suggested that the Fendalton platoon of tho C.IXC. might b© utilised in the direction indicated. Tho motion was agreed to, and Mr Birke was asked to convene a meeting to form such a forcc. A rote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting. The committee met after the meeting, and discussed details. Before the meeting disnersed. tEe matter of forming a Fire Police Corps was discussed, and the following committee was set ud to wait on th*» Fendaiton Platoon of the C.D.C. ami place the qne6tion before its members:— Messrs Birks. Parsonson. Coates, Painter, and Sharpe. This committee u also to eo into the matter of equipment for the fire police, select stations for the deposit of ladders and buckets, and get information regarding the location of the two-storey dwellings in the district. Top sum of £•'> 17s was contributed in tho room towards the cost of equipment.