THE LAWS OF THE LAND.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 112, 8 November 1906, Page 3

THE LAWS OF THE LAND.

LAST SESSION'S ACTS EXPLAINED. NEW CONDITIONS RELATING TO FIRE BRIGADES. In accordance with a custom which has been followed for some years past, we again purpose publishing at intervals a resume of the principal Acts passed by th© Parliament during the cession which recently concluded. The first article of the series is given below : — FIRE BRIGADES. ' One of the_ measures which particularly affects municipalities generally is the Fire Brigades Act, which, after having been before Parliament for several years, has at last found its way on to the statutebook. The Act will not be absolutely operative until May of next year, and meanwhile a general sketch of it 6 provisions will enable the public to obtain an idea of the altered conditions which will then obtain in regard to the management and upkeep of fire brigades. Under the Act the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin are- each constituted what is called a fire district, each being placed under the control of a Fire Board, consisting of seven members — one appointed by the Governor, three elected by the insurance companies, and three elected by the local authority. So far the four centres are the only firo districts constituted, but power is given to tho Governor-in-Council to declare any other part of the colony to be a fire district. The election of tho board will take place in Mpy next, and in the same month every succeeding year, and the board must hold at least four meetings a year, in June, September, December, and March. On or before the 30th of June in every year tho- board will have to submit to the Minister for his approval an estimate of the probable expenditure neosss?ary for the administration of the Act in its district for tho following year, and, when approved, the amount will be paid in tho following proportion : — The Government will contribute a share based on the assumption that its property in the- district is subject to the payment of rates; the remainder will be- conributed in equal proportions by the insurance companies insuring property within the fire district, and by tho local authority. These amounts will be p,iid quarterly. The amount payable by each insurance company will be pro rata to its gross premium receipts for the previous year. The local authority may either pay its share out of the general rate or strike a separate rate for the purpose, not exceeding a penny in the pound on the annual rateiblo value of the rateable property in the district. In the case of rateable property on -which there are no buildings the separate rate V-ill only be half the rate levied. In districts where the system of rating on unimproved values is in force the rate will be made and levied on the value of the buildings, and not on the value of the land. It will be the duty of the board to establish and maintain efficient fire brigades, and to provide such buildings and equipment as may be necessary. The board and its officers will have the use of all water mains, water plugs, and valve pipes belonging to the local authority,' free of charge, for fire extinguishing pur-pa-rs or for the purpose of drills, but will be responsible to the local authority for any damage wilfully or negligently caused by the board or its officers. The board's balance-sheets will be laid before Parliament each year. It also has authority to establish a salvage corps, the services of which must not be charged for Very extensive powers arc- givr?n to tho superintendent of the brigade in dealing with fires, and it is the duty of the police to render him assistance in the performance of his duty. The Act also empowers the Governor to appoint an inspector and deputy-inspector of fire brigades, whoso salaries will be paid by Parliament. The Governor may also declare that any two or more fire districts forming a continuous area shall form one united fire district, and the Act further provides that new fire districts may be declared on the application of a local authority supported by a poll of ' the ratepayers or on the ratepayers' petityjn. Existing fire brigades will come under the control of the board, and land and building* vested in- it, and the board will pay to the (local authority rental at the rate of 434 lCte on the capital value. The board will also take over all plant and appliances at a, price fixed either by agreement or arbitration. Finally, tho Act provides that all public buildings must be provided with fire escapes to- the satisfaction of the superintendent. 1 If they nre not so provided, they cannot be licensed by the local authority, and any one who uses any building in ebnanen of this provision ia liable to a fine not exceeding £50. PAYMENT OF JURORS. The Payment of Jurors Act provides an amendment of the law which haa long been asked for. In future, a juror in a civil case will be paid 8s a day for over four hours' attendance and 4s a day {.or.any less period. Tho party on whose application the jury has been obtained, or, if there has been no such application, the party bringing on the issue for trial, or the plaintiff in every assessment of damages, must pay into court every day the sum of £4 where the jury consists of twelve ' persona, or £1 10s where the jury consists of four. The Act docs not apply to special* jurors. ■ PRIVATE HOSPITALS. The necessity lor bringing private hospitals under Government inspection has been repeatedly brought before Parliament by various members during recent years, and an Act has now been passed for that purpose. Tho definition of a private hospital is : " Any house, building ; tent, or place (other than an institution under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885, or an institution mainly supported by the State in which medical, surgical, or lying-in cases nre received and lodged for treatment, attendance, 'or care, and a charge is mode for such treatment, attendance, or •care." All auph places must be licensed, and any one who carries on or uses such a place if it is not licensed is liable to a fine not exceeding £50. No license will bo granted except with the approval Of the Inspector-General of Hospitak, and before granting a license the Minister must satisfy himself as to tho character and ntnercs of the applicant. For every private hospital there must be a resident manager, who must be either a legally qualified medical practitioned, or (a) a registered nurse in the case of a surgical and medical officer ; (b) a registered midwife in the caso of a lying-in hospital; oi (c) a registered nurse and midwife, or a registered nurse having as reddens assistant a registered midwife, in tho case- of a 'hospital licensed for both purposes. At each hospital there must bo kept a register of patients, and 'tho institution must be at all times open to inspection. Power ia given to tho Minister to have an enquiry made as to the management and conduct of any private hospital. Ifihe thinks fit, the 'Minifttcr may, after such enquiry, cancel the liccnso, and in that case no new license shall bo granted to the peraon concerned for a period not exceeding five years. The Aot will come into force on Ut January, 1907. « TRAINING SHIPS. The Training Ships *ct provides that the Governor nitty dcclnro any ship belonging to or under th* control of the Government to bo a training ship, appoint oflicera and instructors, and mako " s p neceeaafy bylaws MgardinK tho ad-

mission of youths, and their care and training, and generally to givo effect to the Act. FIREARMS AND THE YOUNG. In future, under the provisions of the Firearms Act, the sale or supply of firearms to young persons under the age of sixteen years is prohibited, and.it is •unlawful for any euch young person to carry or own a firearm. Any one breaking this law is liable to a fine not exceeding £10. The Act will not apply to any person under the age of sixteen years practising under proper supervision with a Morris tube or miniature rifle on a properly-constructed and miniature rifle range. ___ « _« „«_____