Volunteer Fire Brigade For Lincoln-Tai Tapu

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 12

Volunteer Fire Brigade For Lincoln-Tai Tapu

An application is to be made, under the Fire Services Act, to set up a united urban Are authority for fire protection in the Lincoln-Tai Tapu area, and three county councils, Ellesmere, Halswell and Paparua, will contribute to its establishment. A motion to that effect was carried at a meeting yesterday of the three county councils. Mr J. Y. Pethig (Halswell) said that, according to figures given by Mr A. Kelly, county clerk to the Paparua County Council, the proportion payable by the Halswell county would be 15) per cent However, the county was prepared to contribute 25 per cent. On his motion it was agreed that Ellesmere contribute 50 per cent., Halswell 25 per cent., and Paparua 25 per cent. It was also agreed that the Ellesmere County Council be authorised to form a volunteer fire brigade at Lincoln; that, immediately the fire brigade was formed and its representative appointed to the fire brigade committee, the

counties appoint their representatives; and that the Ellesmere County Council be th* administrating body until the appointment of the urban fire authority. Mr W. S. K. Drew, county clerk to the Ellesmere County Council, said that the maintenance costs of a brigade were estimated at £4OO, of which £2OO would be a subsidy and the rest total body contributions. Equipment required for a ; tanker unit would cost about £1621. This included a vehicle at £BOO. In the opinion of the chief fire officer, Mr D. H. Goulden. a tanker unit was all that . would be necessary to serve ■ Lincoln in the meantime. i Mr W. E. Walker (Elies- . mere* said the initial set-up I should be what was required > for the township of Lincoln. The chairman, Mr E. J. . Stalker (Ellesmere), said that . he proposal originated not . only from the necessity to ; protect Lincoln from fire but . also to protect Tai Tapu from . fire. Though the brigade > would be centrally situated at > Lincoln it had to cover a radius of five miles and up to • 10 miles if necessary. Mr Kelly said a secondary urban fire brigade could not be established to give protection to a township only.