Fire-fighting water supply criticised

Press, 6 December 1977, Page 6

Fire-fighting water supply criticised

Lack of water for firefighting in new industrial areas to the north-west of Christchurch is concerning a Waimairi County councillor. Cr F. Chisholm raised the I matter at a meeting of the I council’s works, reserves, and i traffic committee. I He said that his concern ;had been prompted bv a fire on the corner of Johns Road and Sawvers Anns Road, Papanui, on November 24. Two fire engines raced to the fire in a dump of old tyres, but had to wait half an hour for the Christchurch Airport crash tender because of the lack of water.

The council’s water tanker was also needed to supply water.

He said he was alarmed that the vast assets of the fast-growing rural-industrial area were so far from an adequate supply of water. “It’s not good enough that a fire engine should have to lay out half a mile of hose to get water,” he said. Complaint Residents of Winters Road sent a petition containing 21

signatures to the council, complaining about the “volume of traffic, speed, and behaviour,” of motorists using it. Because of its deplorable condition and lack of footways, the road was essentially two-lane,” the residents said.

“We consider it to be most dangerous to pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren. Pedestrians and schoolchildren on cycles are often forced into the long grass by speeding motorists attempting to overtake on this very narrow' strip of roadway.” The meeting was told by a traffic officer that part of the danger came from children riding their bicycles two and three abreast. When told of the risk by a traffic officer, they often ignored it or] “made rude signs.”

It was agreed that the matter be referred to the riding member, and that a letter be sent to the parent-teacher associations and headmasters of local schools. This should point out that part of the danger came from the behaviour of the children them-

selves, the committee decided. Seclions wanted Sections next to two reserves in the new suburb of Parklands will be bought by the council for subsequent sale to sports clubs, if the committee's recommendation is accepted. An area of more than 4500 I sq m next to the Groynes reserve, will not be sola, however. There was a prospective buyer for the site, but councillors considered that the area had potential for a ’wildlife refuge and was a valuable wetland asset. $5OOO gift The Belfast Amateur Swimming Club will be given $5OOO and a loan of $9OOO towards building changing sheds and fences at the Belfast Amateur Swimming Club’s Sheldon Park Pool. The club already has $23,500 of the $40,000 needed, and hones to raise the additional! $2500 still required after the! council’s assistance.