PORT FIRE BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 22516, 8 December 1936, Page 16

PORT FIRE BOARD

TIE MAITEH.Y MEETING The quarterly meeting of the Port Chalmers Fire Board last night was attended by Messrs E. H. Ferguson (chairman), C. E. T. Crimp, F. Smith, nnd W. J. Pryde. The Town Clerk advised that the Borough Council had recommended' Cr J. H. Farquharson to a seat on the board in place of Mr T. F. Mackie, resigned.—The board had, it was stated, recommended Mr Farquharson's appointment to (the Minister. It was decided to thank Mr Mackie for his services as a member of the hoard. . The Inspector of Fir© Brigades asked how many _ smoke masks this brigade would require under the new usage in respect to such equipment. A copy of the annual report on the fire brigades of the Dominion was enclosed. —Resolved to obtain four smoke masks of the military type. The • Department of Internal Affairs forwarded copies of recent legislation affecting fire brigades.—Received. The Chairman thought, the Port Chalmers Brigade would come under the Metropolitan Fire Board in connection with the Government’s amalgamation scheme. The Inspector of Fire Brigades reported that he had inspected the Port Chalmers Brigade, fire station, plant, and equipment on November 19, the full strength of the brigade being present. Inspection drills showed a definite improvement. The station and plant were in excellent order, and the fire engine appeared to be well cared for. During the inspection drafting and boosting tests were made in the vicinity of the wool stores, and the pump did excellent work. No definite action had been taken in connection with a previous report recommending that an alarm system be installed. The chairman of the board had informed the inspector that the board was considering the installing of a fire alarm system. Several members took exception to their not being notified beforehand of the inspection. The Chairman said the brigade acquitted itself creditably at the inspection. It was .resolved to,- compliment tne brigade. Tne brigade’s quarterly report showed that the firemen turned out well for practices. There had been no fires during the quarter. Superintendent M‘Donald had submitted his resignation after 28 years’ service. The brigade advised that in its opinion Deputy-superintendent Vl'Elwee was competent to take the senior office.—The Board decided to appoint Mr M'Elwee as superintendent of the brigade as from the 16th inst. The Chairman sent to the station for Mr M'Donald and complimented him on his very fine record of service in the brigade. The board had accepted his resignation with regret. It was pleasing to know that Mr M‘Donald had been elected as a life member of the board. Mi- Smith endorsed what the chairman had said. Mr M‘Donald' acknowledged the kindly remarks, which, he said, he appreciated very much. He had enjoyed every minute of the 28 years he had given to the brigade, and he now felt that a younger man should have a turn.