INVERCARGILL FIRE BRIGADE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23477, 4 November 1941, Page 8

INVERCARGILL FIRE BRIGADE

VISIT BY CHIEF INSPECTOR (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, Nov. 3. The Chief Inspector of Fire Brigades, Mr Girling Butcher, of Wellington, arrived in Invercargill to-day at the request of the Invercargill Fire Board to conduct an inquiry into recent incidents affecting the city fire brigade, culminating in the resignation of the superintendent (Mr F. S. Simpson), and a demand by auxiliary firemen for his reinstatement. Mr Butcher was accompanied by Mr A. V. Just, of Dunedin, secretary and electrical inspector of the Underwriters’ Association. Mr Butcher and Mr Just met the board this afternoon. Mr Butcher said he thought it was highly important that the inquiry should be settled in such a way that there would be no more question - about the efficiency or otherwise of the fire alarm system. Different standards were adopted in different centres. Invercargill was different from other centres in that the fire alarms were serviced by the brigade. That system had been started by Mr Simpson some years ago. While it was quite an excellent system, it was unusual. The discussion was continued in committee until 11 p.m., when the board adjourned till Wednesday aftermoon. Mr Butcher will meet the firemen and Mr Simpson to-morrow, and Mr Just will inspect the automatic fire alarm system. . No Crime In New Plymouth. —For the second time this year, white gloves have been presented to the Judge presiding at the Supreme Court sessions at New Plymouth. Yesterday morning Mr Justice Smith had a clean criminal sheet before fcim, and it was not even necessary to call the grand jury. In the May sessions this year, the Chief Justice (the Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Myers) received white gloves at New Plymouth.—Press Association, Sir D. G. Ferguson Dead. — The death has occurred at Sydney of Sir David Gilbert Ferguson, journalist, scientist, lawyer, and Supreme Court Judge, at the age of 80.— Sydney. November .