FIRE BOARD COSTS

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 14

FIRE BOARD COSTS

Unfair Rasis Alleged

The Christchurch City Council was paying only 60 per cent of the local body share of the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board’s services, but 90 per cent of the fire calls came from the city, the chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said in a report to the Waimairi County Council last evening. “The outer local bodies are paying more than their just share,” he said. He suggested that the council ask for amendment of the Fire Services Act (which is now being revised) to provide for a different system of calculating contributions. Cr A. A. Adcock said that the board had bought special appliances only suitable for work in specific fires. Major plant had been bought to fight city fires, but the board had declined a council request for four-wheel drive vehicles which were of more use in fighting rural fires. This seemed unfair when all districts were rated on the same basis. Mr Rich said he had raised the matter at the June meeting of the board, out his motion that the issue be referred to the Fire Services Council had been lost by one vote.

“It was unfortunate that the City Council representatives were unanimous in voting against it, particularly as that council has been strongly advocating all councils meeting their fair share of metropolitan costs.” said Mr Rich. After Mr Rich had said that he would bring the matter to the attention of the other councils affected, it was agreed to ask for their support for a more equitable system of rating to be allowed for in the revised act