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Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21484, 28 May 1935, Page 12

~ lh i;. 1 a 2 e of the engine belonging to the Silverstroam Municipal Volunteer Fire Brigade was the subject of comment in the annual report of the brigade to the Upper Hutt Borough Council. It was stated that the machine was still going and was doing remarkably good work, considering its old age. It was well over 20 years of age and very heavy in its consumption of benzine. "It does not seem fair to expect this engine to stand up to the strain of modern fire brigade work when it should be allowed to spend its old age in peace. We would request the council to consider its replacement as soon as possible," concluded the report. The brigade was stated to be without tools for the engine.

Fears for the future of the Egmont National Park were expressed by a deputation which waited on the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, at New Plymouth, with a request for the department's aid in carrying out essential work. Mr P. Amoore, a member of the park board, said that cattle were being turned into the forest and the undergrowth was being destroyed. Goats were on the mountain in thousands, and the board was unable to do anything because it had no funds. Mr W. C. Weston said there was « movement afoot to establish some form of compulsory contribution from the local bodies that are deriving benefit from the mountain, which is a natural reservoir, but little could be done lor a year. A full-time ranger to preserve the bush and native birds was needed. Water supplies, which were allimportant to the province, were,not being conserved. Mr Bitchener said that the situation certainly seemed serious. He would arrange a conference with the Hon. S. G. Smith, to ascertain if something could bt done.