FIRE BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1922, Page 2

FIRE BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Greymouth Fire Board, was held last evening ; present : Messrs J. Steer (chairman), G. T. Moss, K. Skoglund, J. McGinley, and W. H. Parfitt. Apologies were received from Messrs Grierson and Cameron, who were unable to attend the meeting. The business at the annual meeting was the election of chairman.

Before vacating the chair, Mr Steer thanked the members for their courtesy during the past year. The staff —Superintendent, firemen, and secretary—had, he said, carried out their duties well, and there had been no serious trouble of any kind during the year. He hoped that such success would continue in the future.

The secretary (Mr F. Barrowman, junr.) called for nominations.

Mr McGinley moved that Mr* Steer be re elected. Mr Steer had the interests

of the Board at heart, and he did not think they could get a better chairman. The resolution was seconded by Mr Skoglund and carried unanimously. In returning thanks, Mr Steer said that he had held the position of chairman for 13 or 14 years. In fact, he was the only member now on the Board of those who were originally appointed to it. He would, as in the past, do his best to carry out his duties fearlessly and in the best interests of the Board, and the Brigade. QUARTERLY MEETING. The statutory quarterly meeting of the Board was held immediately after the annual meeting, the same members being present. The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded list of persons, companies, etc., licensed to conduct insurance business in New Zealand.—Received. The Officer in charge, Department of Industries and Commerce, Christchurch, wrote with reference to goods manufactured in New Zealand, suggesting that every encouragement be given to New Zealand goods, more especially at present, in order to relieve unemployment.—lt was decided that preference be given to New Zealand manufactures.

The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, acknowledged receipt of Board’s letter suggesting that Fire Boards’ financial year end on March 31, instead of June 30' as at present, and that the Fire Brigades’ Act be amended accordingly. The matter would receive careful consideration. —Received.

The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, acknowledged receipt of copies of Board’s balance-sheet for year ended June 30, 1921.—Received. The Under-Secretary, Department of Tnternanl Affairs, forwarded extract from New Zealand Gazette, giving date on which certain returns are to be forwarded to Fire Boards. —Received.

The Christchurch Fire Brigade wrote with reference to malicious false alarms of fire, and asked the Board to co-operate in action against those .responsible for such alarms. —It was decided to co-operate as requested.

The Secretary of the Grey District War Alemorial Fund wrote, asking for a donation. —The Chairman moved that the Board regrets that no funds are available for this purpose. The motion was agreed to.

The estimates for the year ending June 30, 1923, were considered and approved.

The Town Clerk, Greymouth wrote with reference to stand-pipes on Alawhera and Richmond Quays.

Air AlcGinley said that when he referred to the matter at the meeting of the Borough Council, he was under the impression that £lB was the charge for one pipe.

The secretary said that as a result of Inspector Hugo’s visit, the Board wrote to the Borough Council, asking them to pay half the cost of the work. The total cost of cleaning both pipes was about £lB.

The question arose as to who had to keep the pipes in order. The Secretary : The Borough Council. Mr iMcGinley : They say that they are not liable.

The Chairman said that the Board took the initiative in order to save delay in getting the pipes cleaned. The Borough Council was liable for their upkeep. The Board used the water facilities as provided by the Borough, and when repairs were necessary the Board called the attention of the Council to the matter.

Mr McGinley said that if the Borough Council was liable they should keep the pipes in better condition. Both pipes must have been in a very bad state, as no water could get through. The Chairman said that a grating at the bottom of the pipes caused the trouble. They had been down about 25 years. They .had now been cleaned out, however, and would be all right for another 20 years. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS. The annual report of the Superintendent (Mr T. Clarke) read as follows: — “I beg to submit my report for the year ending June 30, 1922. During the year the Brigade has received seven calls as against 16 last year. Of this number, one, a twelve-roomed dwelling with contents was totally destroyed owing to its situation on a high level and no water pressure available. The other outbreaks were all small and were quickly dealt with. The total value of properties on which fires occurred amounted to £10,640 with a fire loss of £5,753. “The Brigade membership is at full strength (20) and during the year they have mustered for meetings and drills on 24 occasions, and once for inspection with an average attendance of 17. This with seven fire calls (average attendance) makes the total number of musters for the year 32. The annual inspection under In-

specter Hugo took place in March and his report on same will be laid before your Board. The annual inspection of the steam fire engine proved satisfactory and the steamer has been regularly tested

and is in good working order. J.ne two suction pipes on Mawhera and, Richmond Quays have been overhauled and cleaned and are now in good order. The extension ladder that has been on order some time together with 500 ft of. hose have come to hand and duly placed in commission. A syren has been procured and fitted to the motor and is-n great improvement. I would recommend that pro. vision be made for 300 feet of new hose

and couplings. The bell tower at the Central Station has been overhauled and necessary repairs to braces, stays, landings, etc., have been effected and the whole has been cleaned and tarred. The approach to the Central Station has been lai!d dow(ia in ,conc(rete and _ neceseagy repairs to buildings and plant have been attended to.

“Service honours are due to members as per list attached and I would thank your Board to authorise the procuring of same. The duties of caretaker have been well and regularly attended to and the station buildings and plant kept clean and

in good order.” Gold Bar, 1 each: Fireman J. Grogan, due May 16, 1922; Deputy-Superintend-ent P. Deere, due June 5, 1922; Fireman J. Kennedy, due July 9, 1922. Silver Bar, 1 each: Fireman H. Blocksage, due July 15, 1922; Fireman W. Anderson, due April 15, 1922; Engineer J. Dumbleton, due June 2, 1922.

The report was adopted and it was decided to procure the honours and medals. The Superintendent’s quarterly report drew the Board’s attention to the amount of gorse and blackberries growing on various streets in the Borough, in close proximity to houses and other property. On several occasions the Brigade had been called out to deal with dangerous gorse fires.

Mr Skoglund moved that the portion of the report regarding gorse and noxious weeds, be referred to the Borough Council. —The motion was seconded by Mr McGinley and agreed to. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Inspector Hugo reported as follows “An inspection of the Greymouth Brigade and its equipment was made on the 21st of March last when at the inspection muster there were present the DeputySuperintendent and 17 firemen, these with the Superintendent and one fireman on leave accounting for the full strength of the brigade. The steam fire engine was taken to the wharf and ‘got to w r ork’ from the suction pipe on the Quay opposite Boundary Street. The engine ‘picked up water’ very quickly, but when Working developed a dangerous knock apparently in the cylinders, the engine was then taken to the Creek where the pump worked with little or no indication of knock. In view of the unreliable state of the high pressure water supply, and of the fact that should it be necessary to use the engine it will certainly be on or about the Quay, the fault should be rectified at once. A spiral spring should be fitted on the tongue of the hose reel so to minimise any jar to the frame of the motor when towing the reel. I have to again recommend that a system of street fire alarms be installed. The station, and the equipment, with the exception of the steam fire engine, was in good order and the inspection work was carried out by the members of the brigade in their usual willing and efficient manner.”

HOKITIKA BOARD.

HOKITIKA, June 27.

The annual meeting of the Hokitika Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present Hon. H. L. Alichel (Chairman), Alessrg J. J. Breeze, J. 11. Wilson and H. Al. Coulson. Hon. H. L Alichel was unanimously re-elected Chairman and thanked tli> members for so doing Apologies were received for the absence of Alessrs Grierson and Cameron, Christchurch. A letter wa s received from Inspector Hugo reporting favourably on his recent visit of inspection. The Christchurch Fire Board wrote asking the Board’s co-operation in urging that heavier penalties be imposed on persons convicted of giving false alarms. —Resolved to support the Board’s request.

The Kanieri Electric, Ltd., forwarded estimate of cost of heating and lighting watchman’s tower.—Accepted.

The Hokitika Fire Brigade wrote stating Messrs Braddon and G. Davidson had been elected Superintendent and Deputy-Superintendent of tho Brigade. Appointments approved. Tho Treasurer’s statement showed a credit balance of £97/16/7. The Fire Brigade Superintendent reported on the year’s work of the brigade, which was very satisfactory; also complaining that the lessees at the Princess Theatre were committing breaches of the by-laws by blocking the means of egress at the theatre, and also tieing up the barriers, and reducing the width of the lanes by placing seats thereon. He referred to one alleged breach. over which it was decided to take legal action, but the solicitor had informed him that tho Superintendent could not take action. He did not blame the proprietors, who endeavoured to carry out the regulations.

Mr Breeze asked what was the duty of firemen in attendance at each show ? Mr Braddon said the firemen were there to bo in readiness in case a fire broke out. He considered that the Borough Inspector should see the regulations were carried out. The Board took a very serious view* of the breaches referred to and resolved to take the necessary steps to see that they were stopped, and all future offenders punished.

The Superintendent also reported that several indicators required painting and others renewing, and the fire stations need repairing. He reported adversely on the fire escapes at the Opera House. It was resolved that the proprietors of the Opera House be instructed to have the Superintendent’s recommendations carried out.

The Chairman congratulated the Brigade on its efficiency, stating it was 16 years since a fire got beyond the house in which it started. ” The water supply had never failed. The estimates for the coming year were read by the Secretary and adopted, and the usual accounts were passed for payment, including a £5 bonus to the Secretary. Sympathetic reference was made to Mr Geo. Davidson (Deputy-Superin-tendent), who is ill in. the hospital, and it was resolved that the Board convey their sympathy to him with the hope that he will soon recover.