FIRES AT NORTH BEACH

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21386, 31 January 1935, Page 15

FIRES AT NORTH BEACH

WATER SUPPLY TO BE PROVIDED SCHEME APPROVED BY RESIDENTS When the New Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade' was called to assist at the scrub fires in the Waimairi County Council's district near Beach road, on Saturday, the members were considerably handicapped because no water supply was available. The brigade, however, rendered valuable service, not only in fighting the fires, but in systematically organising the other workers. The seriousness of the lack of water supply has impressed the residents in the district affected by the fire; and Messrs A. Florance (chairman) and P. E. L. Broad, of the Waimairi Beach Progress League have taken up the matter. There is now every possibility of a sump being installed in Beach road. When the Klondyke estate was subdivided by Mr R. S. Badger, a deep well was sunK, and a large tank erected, from which all section holders draw supplies. Messrs Florance and Broad have interviewed Mr Badger, with a view to arranging for a lead from this well to Beach road, and Mr Badger has been favourably impressed with the proposal, and has stated that he will consider any reasonable request for supply of water. Messrs Florance and Broad have also discussed the question with Messrs W. P. Spencer and W. J. Walter, of the Waimairi County Council, urging the council to install a sump and fire plug in the footpath at Beach road. The council members have expressed their approval of the proposal, and will make representation to the Waimairi Council to consider the request favourably. It is proposed by the Waimairi Beach Progress League to endeavour to arrange with the New Brighton Borough Council, in the event of future fires, to allow the fire brigade to be called out. If the proposed water supply is arranged over the sump and a fire plug installed, it will serve an area in a radius of half a mile north from the installation, including properties in the New Brighton Borough Council area. A number of the ratepayers have been interviewed and have approved of the' proposal and expressed willingness to pay a small rate for the inauguration of a reasonable fixe protection scheme.

HAYSTACKS BURNING Three large haystacks on the Cracroft Wilson estate at the foot of Hackthorne road caught fire about 11 o'clock last night. Two fire engines went out—one from the Sydenham and one from the central station. Fortunately the Heathcote river was close at hand and the engines were able to get sufficient pressure of water from it to keep the flames under control. It is believed that the stacks were set on fire wilfully or accidentally by someone on the premises. four-roomed house DESTROYED A four-roomed house and its contents were destroyed by fire at 26 Foster street, Riccarton, shortly after 10 o'clock last evening. The occupier of the house. Mr R. A. Clark, was in bed when he smelt the fire, which he found had a good hold on the back quarters. The house, which is a very old one was not covered by insurance, and the Central Fire Brigade could do little to save it, as the fire was going right through it when they arrived.

TWO SMALL OUTBREAKS Two small outbreaks of fire were quickly got under control by the Central Fire Brigade yesterday morning. The first call was to Leinster road, where a detached fowl run had caught fire. No great damage, was done. The other call was to a grass fire in Woodham road, which was also suppressed before much damage resulted. OUTBREAK IN RUBBISH PIT Fire broke out in a rubbish pit at Wilson's road, v Waltham, last .evening, and two engines—one from the central station and ope from the Sydenham station, answered the call. The flames were seen from a distance, but no damage was done. LUMSDEN RAILWAY STATION DESTROYED (r&JSS ASSOCIATION TKLIQXAV.) INVERCARGILL, January 30. The Lumsden raflway station and refreshment rooms were destroyed by fire this morning. The flames had a strong hold when the outbreak was discovered, and as no brigade was available, everything was destroyed. PEAT AND GRASS FIRES IN THE WAIKATO (PRtSZ ASSOCIATION TELE ORAM.) January 30. In the absence of the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes), the Minister for Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) instructed Mr O. N. Campbell, deputy Under-Secretary of Lands, to go to Hamilton to-night to confer with the local bodies and Government representatives with a view to organising an effective control of the fight against the peat and grass fires which have been widespread in the Waikato district. Mr Ransom has been in conference with the Acting-Minister for Employment (the Hon. S. G. Smith) and the Unemployment Board, and the assistance of relief labour has been granted by the board.