INQUIRY INTO FIRE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25365, 12 December 1947, Page 8

INQUIRY INTO FIRE

COMMISSION OF FOUR APPOINTED WIDE ORDER OF REFERENCE (P.A.) -WELLINGTON, December 11 The order of reference had been made as wide as possible, said tne Minister of Internal Affairs iMr W. E. Parry) to-day. announcing the members of the Royal Commission lo inquire into the circumstances of Baiiantyne’s fire. x . _ _ Sir Haroia Johnston, a retired Supreme Court judge, will be chamnan. and associated with him will Messrs A. W. Croskery. president of the Federation of Labour. A. J. Dick-

son, engineer to the Auckland City Council, and C. A. WJoolley, superintendent of the Wellington Fire Brigade. . , . The order of reference includes:— (1) The cause of origin of the fire. (2) Whether all possible means were taken to warn the staff and public in the premises of the existence and seriousness of the fire, and whether all possible steps were taken to provide for their safety and escape. (3) Whether the hazard could be reduced by the installation of fire prevention equipment or any other means. (4) Whether the building and fire protection, and. egress arrangements complied with all relevant regulations. (5) The adequacy and administration of all existing relevant statutes and regulations. (6) The desirability of applying to existing buildings any present or future statutes or by-laws covering egress in the case of fire. (7) The desirability of the occupiers of business premises instructing staffs in the principles of fire prevention.

evacuation drill, and elementary firefighting. (8) The effectiveness of operations conducted and equipment-employed by the Christchurch Fire Brigade. (9) Whether the commission has any recommendations to make regarding protection against fire in a similar type of building. (10) Any other matters which the commission considers should be brought to the Government’s attention The commission is required to report by April 30. Mr Parry said the wide order of reference would give the commission every opportunity to inquire into the fire and the tragic results, and make such recommendations as were considered. practical for adoption in the future in the interest of public safety.