Fire Protection in Riccarton

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22941, 10 February 1940, Page 12

Fire Protection in Riccarton

The regent fire at Addington; which destroyed a valuable newsprint store, has again focused public attention on the danger to the borough of Riccarton because of lack •of adequate.* fire protection.v -A. -news article printed in “The “Press” yesterday'indicated the seriousness of the position and detailed the history of the unimpressive efforts that have been made to improve it. It is not an story and neither the Riccarton Borough Council nor the residents of the district have anything to congratulate themselves upbn, for it is one of procrastination and false; economy. As a residential • area Riccarton was taking undue risks in not providing adequately for fir.ev protection;' as an area in which there is an expanding growth of industrial enterprise and a considerable shopping centre, its neglect of simple safety precaution is asking for serious {rouble. Possibly Riccarton residents are awaiting amalgamation, with the city, but atithe present time amalgamation is too uncertain a prospect to encourage procrastination. A water supply scheme should be put in hand with the least possible delay; and theite should be no reason why the scheme adopted should not envisage and provide for linking up with the city, at some future time. If it is a matter of extra rates which is deterging Riccarton residents from agreeing to a water loan; it should appeal do their prudence to reflect that they should regain a good deal of what, they may lose ini increased rates from reduced fire insurance premiums. However that may be, they should recognise at once that the need is real and urgent.