HEROISM TN FIRE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 6

HEROISM TN FIRE

MR HOLLAND’S REPORT GOOD WORK OF BRIGADE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, November 19. “It made me proud to be a New Zealander,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) after he had returned from Christchurch to-night and had reported to the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) on the work done by all sections of the community after the fire in Ballantyne’s. “If the full story could be told some deeds of great heroism would be known,” said Mr Holland. “Heads of departments made the safety of customers their first consideration, which may account for the comparatively small number of customers among the casualty list.” Mr Holland said that both the Minister of Labour (Mr A. McLagan) and himself could say from personal knowledge that there was no chance at all of recognising any of the bodies. One of the outstanding examples of personal heroism, Mr Holland said, was that of Mr Kenneth Ballantyne. Mr Holland said the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) had told him that any financial assistance the Government could give would be forthcoming. Mr Holland paid a special tribute to the work of the Fire Brigade and said that if there had been a southerly wind he doubted whether Christchurch 3 could have been saved. He praised the work also of the police, of the Army, of the crews of the visiting warships, of the M.E.D. staff, of the Salvation Army, and of the tramways staff, and paid a special tribute to the City Engineer (Mr E. Somers) and his men.