GUY FAWKES’ DAY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 3

GUY FAWKES’ DAY

Use Of Fireworks Criticised

The 356-year-old institution Of Guy Fbwkea' Day withstood an attack, on the ground of public safety from fire hazard, made by Mr W. E Oids at a meeting of the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board. Mr Olds said that fire losses through fireworks on Guy Fawkes’ Day in New Zealand must amount to mere than £lm. This year, 14 fire calls in Wellington had been caused by fireworks. One fire had caused £lB.OOO damage and another was a large scrub fire that took long hours to put out. He estimated that at least 15 calls had been caused by fireworks in Christchurch. "Thia meant a 30-engine turn-out, with waste in wages, men's time, and effort. Thousands of people have been seriously injured by fire on. Guy Fawkes' Days end it :1s time aotne responsible body did something about it We are a responsible body, and I suggest that the importation and manufacture of fireworks should be severely curtailed if not prohibited," said Mr Olds. Mr J. R. Smith said that if the board was to do anything about firework* it should also curtail or prohibit smoking. Careless smoker*, throwing butt* anywhere, were the greatest menace of all. Mr A. S. Hollander: If rockets and cigarettes cause death through fire and should be prohibited, so should cars, trains, aeroplane*, and banana skins.