FIRES IN WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 215, 30 May 1918, Page 6

FIRES IN WELLINGTON

SUPERINTENDENT'S ANNUAL KEPUKT. According to Superintendent H. Tart's annual report there were lijli alarms of fire during the year ended March 31, consisting of 07 actual, 2li rubuisii <ind fiprse, 24 chimneys nutl.B!) fake alarms. 'J. ho number of malicious i'aiso alarms ie set down as 6even.,- which is exactly that number less than the previous year. "During the year , (says tiie report) the street fire alarm ey.stem has 'worked satisfactorily. All tho instruments have been overnaiiled, and the lines repaired or renewed where necessary. No extensions have been possiWe principally owing to necessary maicriais being unobtainable. The whoie system is at present in good repair. Aβ a result of very unsatisfactory conditions existing with regard to private iire alarms, a conierencee composed ol representatives from various Government Departments .and some of the principal installing firms was held at Central Station on September 20, 1917. The principal trouble was found to be in the multiplicity of receiving systems and control. The result of the conference was to recommend reforms in many diTections, also standardisation of transmitting and receiving instruments. These recommendations were endorsed by tho City Council and should be the means of eliminating most of the trouble. To give effect to these recommendations it was necessary to make alterations to the watchroom at Central . Station. Tho whole of this work has been performed by the staff. The work of standardising is now in progress. . : . "A new station for Northland was completed in December. This is an excellently designed hose-reel station; a similar;, ono has' also been authorised for erection at Boseneatk, where the existing station is beyond repnir. A tender has been accepted for the erection of Constable Street Station, and the work has no*v been commenced.

"During tho year 200 licenses were issued for the storage of dangerous goods, and the premises where necessary inspected. Considerable danger attaches to the storage and handling of volatile oils, especially those used in connection with motor-cars, motqr-eycles, etc. Following on explosions that occurred on board ships at the Queen's Wharf, a letter was sent to the Harbour Board drawing attention to the dangers of handling in transhipping benzine, etc.. and the board replied that they were obtaining a special report from their responsible officers on the subject. I feel sure this will have the effect of altering the conditions now existing.

"Following a severe attack of appendicitis, Mr. Frank Godwin, after a short illness, died at the AVellingtoii Hospital, on July 24 last. He held the position of station officer nt Thorndon. His death caused deep regret among members of the brigade. Tlie discipline of the briKiule has been well maintained. The extraordinary ■ conditions existing have made- manySdciiKinds upon officers and men. who have done their duty right loyally. The attendance of the auxiliary members of the brisrnde—in all districts —has been very satisfactory."