FIRE BOARD.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20905, 12 July 1933, Page 5

FIRE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board was held last night and was attended by Messrs T. M. Charters (chairman), E. H. Andrews, T. H. Butterfield, E. Parlane, G. C. Hill, K. W. Robinson, and C. A. Cooper. The secretary (Mr C. J. Trelcavcn) reported having written to the Department of Internal Affairs asking for the approval by the Minister of the renewal of agreements between the board and outside bodies in respect of tire protection, and having received a reply on June 19 stating that the matter was receiving attention. On June 30, when two o£ the agreements expired, no further reply had been received and the bodies concerned had been advised that the protection would be continued pending the receipt of the approval of the Minister. The Canterbury <N.Z.) Seed Company, Ltd., wrote asking for protection front fire of their property at Heathcote. It was decided to obtain a report from the superintendent. Fires and Fire Losses. The superintendent reported for th-2 period June 8 to July 5 that 23 calls were received; six were for actual 'lres in the city, four were for-chim-ney fires, four for false clarms, eight were for malicious false alarms, and one was for a small lire at Fendalion. £ Estimated lire loss .. .. 51 Insurance on buildings and contents .. .. 108,667 Estimated value of property oliected .. .. 137,625 lb was recommended that tenders be invited for 15 street fire alarm boxes complete; that a new canvas .iumping sheet be obtained; and that tenders be invited for the annual supply of uniform clothing, boots, and equipment. The report was adopted. Attendance of Firemen at Theatres. The report of the superintendent also dealt with the movement on the part of the proprietors and owners of the King's Theatre, Sydenham, to reduce the seating capacity of the tiieatre to less than 500 persons to avoid, if possible, the payment of a fireman for attendance at evening sessions, on public holidays, and on Saturday afternoons. The by-law of the Christchurch City Council dealing with the matter was quoted, and also the provisions of section 71 of the Fire Brigades Act, 1926, Superintendent Warner stating that the act imposed no limitation as to the number of persons in a building used for public entertainment in which the presence of a fireman wad considered necessary Mr Hill said that it looked as if the by-law was in conflict with the act. \ Following a statement made in committee by Mr Andrews, the chairman said that no action was needed. I | Other Matters. i In accordance with the requirements of the act, it was decided to insure, under fidelity guarantee policies, the superintendent in a sum of £SOO and the deputy-superintedent in the sum of £3OO The secretary reported that the audit of the balance-sheet of the board had been completed and the balance-sheet had been forwarded to Wellington. Mr Joseph Wallace, on behalf of Mr A. W Emmett, wrote that Mr Emmett desired to convey to the brigade his appreciation of its prompt attention to the call for a fire on his dairy farm at Quinn's road, Shirley.