REDUCTION IN GRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 110, 5 November 1937, Page 6

REDUCTION IN GRADE

PETONE FIRE DISTRICT

CONSIDERATION BY BOARD

The possibility of having the borough reduced in grade for fire insurance purposes so as to effect a saving in premiums was discussed at, the meeting of the Petone Fire Board yesterday .afternoon. Mr. J. Kerr was in the chair.

The secretary (Mr. H. Firth) reported that the matter had been discussed tentatively with the Fire Underwriters' Association, as it was felt that the district had such an efficient fire-flghtin'g force that premiums should be reduced. In order to have the district reduced from the D grade, the board was required by the association to install a standby pump at a cost of about £750 and to add an extra 25 street alarms at a cost of £30 each, not taking into consideration the cost of wiring and lighting. When the

water reticulation was put in a few years ago the district was reducedfrom grade F to D and the saving in premiums amount to £2000 a year. He estimated that if the grade were reduced again the saving in premiums would be up to £3000 a year. There were at present 18 street alarms in the borough and a number of private boxes.

"They require an extraordinary number of street alarms for a borough of this size," commented Mr. G. London. ;

Mr. Kerr said that if the grade were reduced the big industries would get the benefit of the reduction in premiums. The saving to the" ordinary ratepayer would be small. Possibly the big industries might assist the board with the cost of the necessary improvements. Mr. Firth said that another suggestion was that the poles on which alarms were placed should be painted red so as to make them distinguishable in daytime. The matter was held over until the next meeting to enable the secretary to ascertain the requirements of the Fire Underwriters' Association if the board's district were to be reduced to grade A. The superintendent (Mr. J. iP. Gaynor) will ascertain the cost of 'the proposed improvements in the fire alarm system, etc.