Public Inquiry Sought On Addington Stand Fire

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 10

Public Inquiry Sought On Addington Stand Fire

A public inquiry Into the fire in the Addington trotting course stand last Friday is wanted by Mr A S Hollander. a member oi the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board

Mr Hollander has written to the secretary of the board <Mr S F Marshall) asking for a special meeting of the board to be held urgently He gives notice that he will move that the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Gotz) be asked to set up a board of inquiry to investigate the fire

Mr Hollander said yesterday that he considered there was a need to clear the Municipal Electricity Department and the waterworks , f , h „ Cll “and get at the root of the nim<Hir« that are being spread " Chatman's Comment Asked last evening whether a special meeting would be held. Mr W R Campbell the chairman of the board Mr Hollander had not extended the courtesy of telling him he was lodging the letter with the board Howf7 er , '’’d d° bearing on the issue. When he was adzised of

the letter he had instructed the secretary to reply to Mr Hollander that if the board saw fit it could have asked for an inquiry when the fire was discussed at length last Tuesday However, he would be prepared to call a special meeting if at least four members of the board requested him to do so in writing “The only other observation I make, and a very important one. is that the board aware of the fact that I was interesting myself in investigations. obtained an assurance from me that I would make a public statement upon the completion of those inquiries.- Mr Campbell said “I have been offered cooperation by the people most concerned in this most unfortunate matter and given some indications of what steps may be feasible to obviate such a disaster in future with buildings of this nature

It can only be expected that the parties concerned may be hesitant to continue this co-operation if there is any loose talk of a public added 7 ” M ‘" Campbell A normal monthly meeting of the board was scheduled fw the second Tuesday in December, Mr Campbell said.