‘Normal Investigation’ Of Addington Fire

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29754, 22 February 1962, Page 15

‘Normal Investigation’ Of Addington Fire

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 21

There is no intention on the part of the Fire Service Council to hold a public inquiry into the fire which destroyed a grandstand at the Addington trotting course on November 10. This was made clear this afternoon by a spokesman of the Department of Internal Affairs. He had been asked what form the investigation which the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Gotz) has asked the council to make would take. “The Fire Service Council will make the investigation as a part of its normal duties,” said the spokesman. “There is no suggestion of a special inquiry. The council will examine all aspects of the outbreak and its handling. and if anything emerges w’hich will be a guide as to how to handle such an outbreak in future this will be circulated.” He emphasised that the leading thought in such an inquiry would be to establish weak spots in the protective chain. The Fire Service Council existed to see that the fire-fighting pattern provided a complete coverage.

In his report to the Secretary of Internal Affairs (Mr J. Meech), the secretary of the Fire Service Council (Mr H. R. Brown) has stated that there appeared to be a lack of consultation between the territorial local authority (and the owners of the property’) with the fire officers, not only in respect to the installation of a sprinkler system, but also as to the water supply for that system, and for fire protection of all premises in the area.

This aspect will be one of the subjects of the Fire Service Council’s investigation. There is as yet no guarantee that local authorities will be compelled to consult fire

prevention officers where major alterations to premises are being carried out, or new premises erected. The eventual Fire Service Council report is likely to emphasise the need for such consultation.

In a letter to Mr E. T. Ferrall, of Christcurch the Minister said:

'I called for a report on the fire, and details have now come to hand,” said the Minister’s letter. “While there are certain disturbing aspects of this fire which call for some action, it would appear from the reports received that the fire which you noticed earlier in the afternoon, and drew attention to, was dealt with at the time and had no relation to the major fire which eventually destroyed the stand.” Mr W. R. Campbell, chairman of the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board, said that correspondence on the request to Mr Gotz for an inquiry was tabled for the information of members at the last board meeting.

“Because the matter was under consideration by the Minister, it was held that the letters should not be read in open meeting,” said Mr Campbell, “but that they would be made public after the Minister had made a decision.

“In passing, it should be mentioned that the complaints of Mr Ferrall had previously been published and that his letter to the Minister contains nothing additional to the previous allegations made to the newspapers and to me personally,” Mr Campbell said. “The reported statement by Mr Brown to the Secretary of Internal Affairs contains what appears to be an indictment against the territorial local authority (aparently the Waimairi County Council). As an inquiry is pending, I feel it was grossly unfair to release the statement before the local authority has had an opportunity to hear the evidence and make its reply.”