WOOLSTON FIRE BOARD.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16506, 25 April 1919, Page 7

WOOLSTON FIRE BOARD.

RATEPAYERS' DISSATISFACTION DISCUSSED. A meeting of the Woolston Fire Board was held last night. Present: Mr J. F. Grierson (chairman), Colonel C. J. Cooper. Messrs T. Champ, and D. Mcßae. The Woolston Borough Council forwarded copy of resolution passed at a recent meeting of ratepayers that the Fire Board was unnecessary and should be abolished. Mr Mcßae moved that the matter bo deferred for a special meeting of the Board. Tho motion was agreed to. The chairman said that with regard to tho resolution passed by the ratepayers the Board could not do anything. The matter rested entirely with, the ratepayers, and if they decided 'that the Board was not necessary thoy would have to take steps to carry on the brigade without tho Board having control. The opinion of tho ratepayers at the meeting seemed to bo unanimous that the Board should go out.

Mr Mcßae said that tho management of tho brigade was the wholo cause of the trouble. The ratepayers did not want to do away with the brigade, but if the brigade went back to the old order the borough would have to take over the plant. It was mentioned that the Board would go out of office in May, and Colonel Cooper said it would be better not to hold the enquiry till the new Board was appointed, as the sitting members might go into the enquiry with prejudiced minds. On tho chairman's motion, seconded by Mr Mcßae, it was decided to hold nil enquiry on May Bth into the working of tho brigade. . Mr Mcßae said the ono thing the ratepayers were strongly against was tho big expenditure on boots and clothing. In fact, there was a petition prepared now for the Board to be abolished, but the circulation of_ it was being withheld until the enquiry was held. The ratepayers wanted to know why so manv members left tho brigade. The "Board as well as the ratepayers knew that the plant at the present time was not efficient, but what tho ratepayers wanted to get at was the management. Colonel Cooper said that the whole matter rested under By-law 10 which stated that "the superintendent shall be responsible to tho Board for the efficiency of the members of the brigade and all gear used in its service." The ratepayers were tlissatisfied. and the superintendent should be examined by the Board as to his efficicncv and the efficiency of his brigade and liis plant. The chairman: If the Fire Board comes to the conclusion that the superintendent is a fit and proper person ■ for the position, then the whole enquiry is over. Colonel Cooper: That is so. It was finally resolved that the superintendent and deputy-superintendent be called to a meeting of the Board on May Bth to answer enquiries relativo to the management and efficiency ol the brigade. The finance report showed that the credit balance in the bank amounted to £178 10s and the deposit with tho , Woolston Borough Council to £300. | Colonel Cooper said that owing to pressure of military work he would not ' stand for re-election.