PUBLIC APATHY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20415, 9 December 1931, Page 13

PUBLIC APATHY.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK. . 0 SUPERINTENDENT WARNER'S COMMENT. "As. far as Christchurch is concerned the event passed With the usnal apathy on the part of the adult population, only (wo persons visiting the fire atation in order to beeomeacquaintedwith - ; the work of the .Brigade, and with its equipment," reported Superintendent C. C* Warner to last night's "meeting of the Christchurch Fire' Board, referring to the recent Fire Prevention Week. . For a considerable number- of years past, he stated, the Uidted Fire Bri- : gades' AssociaUon of New Zealand, and fire brigades urged upon , the Government the necessity, for instituting a week to be known as "Fire Prevention Week," and eventually ■ it was decided to set aside the period No-* vember 23rd to 28th, 1931, with a view to educating the people on mattets that ultimately, it was hoped, vjrould bring about a reduction in the fire waste of the Dominion. ;■«. Children's Interest. . The Brigade was more thatff compensated by its visit to'the primary and secondary schools, with the-decorated motors, where approximately 20,000 children of all .ages .were given short talks' on "fire prevention," and .also shown how to operate the . street fire alarms, and hand chemical fire extinguishers in buildings in case of fire. The subject was quite an interesting one for the children,, who listened very attentively to everything told; them, and provided the lessons were; continued by the teachers throughout thtyear the results achieved should eventually be of benefit to the community as a whole. It was rather unfortunate that - the inauguration of Fire Prevention Week should clash with the Parliamentary elections and school examinations, and so as to avoid • any possible overlapping in the . future he suggested thai "representations be made to the Government to hold Fire Prevention Week during October in each year.