EIRE BOARDS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 121, 18 November 1909, Page 8

EIRE BOARDS.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. VARIOUS QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. A conference of Fire Boards of New Zealand was held, 10-day at the oflice of the Underwaters' Association, Government, Insurance Buildings. The following delegates were present : — A. L. Parsons and H. S. Batchelor, Christchurch ; H. Haydon, J. C. Pragnell, and E. J. Armstrong, Palmerston North ; R. Brown, Master-ton ; J. W. M'Ewan, Petone; T. Chalmers, Dunedin ; F. C. Cray, Maori Hill; B. Kent and D. Goldis, Auckland ; J. Paton, New Plymouth ; J. J. Malland. Hastings, Dannevirke, and Hokitika.; R. M. Simpson and C. A. M'Ewen, Feilding. As Christchurch was convenor of the conference, Mr. Parsons was unanimously elected chairman, and Mr. Righton secretary. POSITION OF SUPERINTENDENT. Mr. Haydon moved a remit from Palmerston North, to the effect that the Minister be asked to define the position of a superintendent if requested to act outside his district. The mover stated that if he acted a mile outside of his juri&diciaon, they were rendered liable for his action. Mr. Kent said the same difficulty had arisen in New South Wales, and proviision was made in the new Bill in that colony to meet it. In the • course of ' the discussion, it was agreed to amend section 31 of the Fire Brigades Act by inserting the words '"or outside" after tho word "within," so as to provide for work done outside fa boundary. 1 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. It was agreed to amend section 51 of the Act, dealing with theatres and places of amusement by inserting the words "owner or" before "occupier in the first line of subsection 1, so as to make the owner Ha.ble ' for the provision of fire escapes in all places of amusement, churches, etc. ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT. A remit from Palmerston North, that ' Fire Boards be exempt from the operations of the Arbitration and Conciliation Acts, or by subsequent Acts, was unanimously agreed to. FIRE BOARDS' ASSOCIATION. A remit from Palmerston North, that a New Zealand Fire Boards' Association be formed, gave rise to some discussion. Mr. Haydon pointed out that if an association were formed could, on payment/ of £3 per annum,' get th« best possible Legal advice. Mr. Cray said such an association was very necessary. They should initiate an aggressive policy. Mr. Simpson quite concurred. Such sui association would be a great help to the smaller boards. After further discussion, it was decided to adjourn the remit till the afternoon. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. A remit from the Christchurch Board, that the Government be asked to reduce the charges for installation and maintenance of wires for fire alarm system, was agreed to. SUPERANNUATION FUND. A second remit from Christchurch, that it • is advisable . that superannuation funds be- established for the benefit of members of the permanent staff, was discussed. The chairman pointed out that only the three large boards had permanent paid staffs on a, large scale. It was desirable to make the service as attractive as possible to young men. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Goldie (Auckland), to leave tho remit for next conference. PURCHASE OF SITES. A third remit from Christchurch, that the Firo Board Act be amended so as to provide that the Government can advance money to Fire Boards to purchase' land and erect stations, was considered. Mr. Ewen pointed out .that Palmerston North had already raised a loan. It was agreed to amend the remit, in the direction of making the F ; re Boards local bodies, in so rar as borrowing is concerned, so as to bring them under the operation of the Loans to Local Bodies Act. BYLAWS AND REGULATIONS. A further remit from Christchurcn. was that there should be a general uniformity of bylaws and regulations affecting fire prevention, with special n, ference to theatres and places of amusement, storage of empty crates, and inflammable goods, 'and control of electrical installations. The chairman ppinted out that several other matters, such as kinematographs, needed to be dealt with. Mr. Cray said it' was very necessary to include large factories and tea-rooms. All plumbers and electrical engineers should pass a uniform system of examination. Mr. Chalmers urged co-operation with the local bodies. _ There was already too much legislation, and they should strive to minimise, rather than increase, legislation. Mr. Kent said the board had in Auck. land endeavoured to co-operate as far as possible with the municipal authorities. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Kent, that the terms of the remit be agreed to, and that there be an interchange of bylaws between the different boards. TELEPHONES AT STATIONS. The last remit from Christchurch, that at least one telephone to fire stations be allowed without charge, was - agreed to. FINANCIAL YEAR. A remit from Masterton, that the. financial .year of the boards should cover the same period as for local authorities, Jind so altering it from 30th June to 31st March, was moved by Mr. Brown, 1 and agreed to. * FIREMEN'S COMPETITIONS. Mr. Pragnell moved a remit from Palmerston North, that the provisions, dealing with expenditure be extended so as to include payment of expenses of firemen to competitions. Testimony was borne to the good work done by the Volunteer Fire Brigades by several delegates, and there was general agreement as to tho need of encouraging them. After considerable discussion, the remit was, however, withdrawn. The conference then adjourned till 2.15 p.m.

Clad in nothing but a shirt, and smoking a pipe, a man named James Keating marched into the Police Station at 1 o'clock this morning. He was placed in a cell for the night, and in the S.M. Court this. morning appeared on a diaige of having been helplessly Jrunk. SubInspector Norwood stated that when accused arrived at the station he related how he had been pursued by a permanent artilleryman, who was threatening him. Ho had eluded his pursuer by means of a fire-esc.ipe. Accused, who was still in a maudlin state, was icmanded for a week for curative treatment. A couple of other inebriates — first offender— seta convicted,.