Lyttelton Fire Protection

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28728, 28 October 1958, Page 10

Lyttelton Fire Protection

The Local Government Commission Came to the only decision it could responsibly make when it determined that for fire protection purposes the borough of Lyttelton should be brought into the Christchurch United Urban Fire District, which will now include, with Lyttelton, the city of Christchurch, the borough of Riccarton, and portions of the Paparua, Heathcote, and Halswell counties. It was necessary to refer the question to the Local Government Commission only because a bare majority of the Lyttelton Borough Council obdurately refused to listen to expert advice to join the metropolitan fire district. The Local Government Commission was careful to say that the desire expressed on behalf of the Lyttelton Borough Council to manage its own affairs and not become involved in an outside form of control would have been given weight, were there not a consideration of much greater importance. This, of course, is (as everyone except a majority of the Lyttelton Borough Council has seen for a long time) that the protection of the Lyttelton harbour facilities is of vital importance to a much wider area than the Lyttelton borough. The decision of the Local Government Commission has opened the way to the most effective protection possible being given to the borough and people of Lyttelton and to the wharves, wharf facilities, and oil installations at the port. It is to be hoped that the Lyttelton Borough Council will accept the Local Government

Commission’s decision with good grace and will now do everything it can to facilitate the new arrangements it will be necessary to make. The decision of the Local Government Commission includes a reservation to the effect that, because the land upon which the building at present partly used as the Lyttelton fire station may be a borough reserve, the building and land should not be automatically vested in the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board. This reservation affords the Lyttelton Borough Council the opportunity to be either cooperative or obstructive. It will te a pity if, faced with a decision that deals conclusively with the major issue, the Lyttelton Borough Council determines to be obstructive on a minor issue.