FIRE LOSSES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 31, 31 October 1929, Page 11

FIRE LOSSES

RETURNS FROM BIGGEST BRIGADES Figures compiled by the Government Inspector, Superintendent T. T. Hugo, showing the fire losses for the areas covered by the six largest fire brigades in New Zealand and which were placed before the conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association yesterday, were questioned by Superintendent T. J. Wallis, secretary and advisory superintendent. The officials figures for 1920-29 were:

It will be noticed that in the case of Wellington the figures are for three years only and for Invercargill for five years. These periods cover the time these brigades have been under the jurisdiction of fire boards.

Superintendent Wallis said that it was obvious that in most cases the uninsured losses had been very much underestimated, so that the real position was worse than was stated. The United Fire Brigades’ Association had for some time past been endeavouring to get a commission set up to inquire into the enormous fire losses in the Dominion, and it was likely that their efforts would soon bear fruit. A conference was now suggested between the Government inspector and certain fire officers. No suggestion or assistance of any practical value, so far as fire prevention or fire fighting is concerned, had come from these officers, and while the association would welcome any assistance that might be forthcoming it would certainly not recognise any individual action.

Insured Uninsured Loss £ Loss £ Total £ Auckland . . 625,307 28,355 653,662 Christchurch 482,372 42,750 525,122 Dunedin . 279,580 18,526 298,106 Invercargill . 115,923 4,864 120,787 Wanganui . . 65,808 7,978 73,786 Wellington . . 410,671 84,421 495,092 The cost of the maintenance of the six brigades was:— £ s. d. Auckland . 178,105 0 0 Christchurch . 115,513 0 0 Dunedin . 133,325 0 0 Invercargill (5 years) ., , 32,334 0 0 Wanganui 61,352 18 9 Wellington (3 years) . . 70,515 0 0