FIRES IN WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 223, 8 June 1923, Page 8

FIRES IN WELLINGTON

"“INCREASED ACTIVITY LAST YEAR.

rt.Jhe annual report of Superintendent H. Tait of the Municipal Fire . Brigade, for the year ended March 31 last, shows that there were 63 more calls received to fires or supposed fires than in the previous twelve month the comparative figures for the two .'years are as follow:—

The estimated loss of property not covered by insurance is £835, and the estimated loss of property covered by policies £56,643, while the es timated value of property on which fires occurred is shown as £651,915 The total loss for the year is thus estimated at £57,478. The most extensive firgs were those which or curred at Messrs. R. Martin’s and and R. Fletcher’s buildings, which were responsible for the loss of ap proximately £28,912. Of the sixty false alarms, 27 were given maliciously. The total was three less than i” in the previous year, but during one part of the period under review the brigade was treated to a very bus, time by a number of lads who were caught and ultimately fined. “Thu treatment,” comments Mr. Tait, “should still further reduce the senseless practice.”

A summary appended to the report shows that 144 alarms were given in the city, 54 in Newtown, 27 at Thorndon, 12 at Kilbirnie, 12 at Miramar. 10 at Brooklyn, and smaller numbers in other suburban areas. The brigade was summoned on 141 occasions L telephone. 137 times per medium of the street alarm boxes, 14 times by strangers, and 14 times through private fire alarms. Slight damage was caused in 91 cases, considerable dimage to 20 buildings, and 9 promises were totally destroyed. The central fire station : s to receive a thorough overhauling this year, and the street fire alarm system is to be further extended.

■ 1921-22 1922-23 Actual fires 106 120 Rubbish and gorse fires 51 72 Chimney fires 23 54 False alarms 63 • 60 Totals 243 306