RIGHT TO THE ROAD

Evening Star, Issue 17581, 9 February 1921, Page 8

RIGHT TO THE ROAD

HAVE FIRE BRIGADES PRIORITY? [Special to the ‘Stab.’] CHRISTCHURCH, February (1. Tho desirability of fire brigades ' being giyen the right to the road was discussed at last night’s meeting of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, The matter arose out of the chairman mentioning that he had instructed tho secretary to forward letters of sympathy to the Hamilton Fire Brigade in connection with tho recent fatality, and to the bereaved relatives. Mr Hopkins said that lie could not help thinking that when a brigade was called out to 'a fire they should be given such priority, which was desirable from two points of view. The first was that it would enable the brigade to get to a tire quickly ; the. second that it would tend to avoid accidents. He had recently had a conversation with a gentleman who told him that at Vancouver alarm bells, placed at intervals of about a quarter of a, mile along tho streets, rang to give warning of the brigade’s approach. Immediately the engine, left tho fire station a fireman pressed a button, which rang the bells in the direction taken by tho brigade. This was the signal for all vehicular traffic, including tramcars, to stop running. If something like this had obtained in Hamilton it was probable that such an accident would not have happened. At present the Christchurch Brigade had no more right to tho road than anyone else. Mr Holland said it was practically an unwritten law that brigades should have the right of tho road. Mr Burgoyne said that a good deal of trouble was caused in that no one. seemed to observe the rules of the road. Inspectors should be appointed to see that the rules were observed. Mr Cameron said that the matter was one that should be considered at the next Fire Brigades’ Conference,. It was decided to endorse the chairman’s action.