GREYMOUTH FIRE BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1934, Page 2

GREYMOUTH FIRE BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual meeting of the Greymouth Fire Board, held last evening, was attended by Messrs. W. H. Parfitt (chairman), J. McGinley, K. B. Bain, and M. D. Bowman. Superintendent P. Deere was also present. It was decided to send a letter to Cavaliere G. Perotti, a member of the Board, wishing him a speedy recovery from his illness.

A resolution of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Mr. F. Smith, a life member of the Fire Brigade. Mr. Parfitt was re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year. . Mr. Bowman complimented the Brigade on its work when fire recently destroyed the Oriental and Criterion Hotels, the flames being prevented from spreading to the rest of the block. The purchase of another Dennis engine was discussed, but a decision was deferred, pending the ascertaining of the Board’s obligations in connection with the forthcoming merger of the Cobden Town District with the Borough of Greymouth. The caretaker of the Central Station, Mr. F. Garth, forwarded Ins resignation, owing to ill-health, after thirteen years’ service. In the course of his report, Superintendent Deere paid a tribute to the work of Mr. and Mrs. Garth, and stated that they would bo greatly missed, particularly m connection with the socials held by the Brigade. The resignation was accepted, with regret, 1 and it was decided to forward a letter of appreciation to Mr. Garth. Applications are to be caled for the vacancy, after the town members of the Board draw up a schedule of duties.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Superintendent Deere reported as follows: —During the year ended March 31, there were eleven calls: April 12, Tindale’s cottage, Town Belt; June 30, Greymouth Convent School buildings, Alexander Street; July 10, scrub, Tainui Street; September 21 Hayes’ furniture shop,.Mawhera Quay; October 25, Mr. Muir s residence, Palmerston Street; October 27, Oriental Hotel, Richmond Quay; October 28, Riordan’s residence, Chapel Street; January 1, Mrs. Hanrahan s residence, High Street: March 4, Criterion and Oriental Hotels, Richmond Quay. Tindale’s house was on top of a hill and out of reach of the water, and the fir 6 at the Oriental and Criterion Hotels had a big hold before the alarm was given. These were beyond saving, but the other fires were subdued with very little damage. The membership is at its full strength. The usual practices, musters and fires have been carried out, with an.aveiage attendance of eighteen, which is very good. The maintenance as regards the gear and plant has been carried out, and everything is in good order. The Borough Council is laying down the new pipe line for the extra supply of water, and when finished we expect to have a better supply for fire-fighting, I which is very badly wanted. There are three fiveyear service medals and six bars due to members. I would be thankful if you would sanction the ordering of the same. The report was adopted.

COBDEN BRIGADE A deputation waited on the town members of the Board, on Monday evening, headed by Mr. A. H. McKane (Chairman of the Cobden Town Board) and Captain Gilmour and Secretary Anderson (Cobden 'Fire Brigade). Messrs. W. H. Parfitt, J. McGinley, Superintendent Deere, and deputy-Superinteudent A. White were present. The members of the deputation pointed out that there were twenty members in the Cobden Brigade, many of them with service up to 16 years. Tho Brigade wished to maintain its separate identity, notwithstanding the forthcoming merger of Cobden with Greymouth. The Act is very definite, and provides that when an outer area is linked up with a borough, the Fire Board is compelled to have firefighting appliances and buildings in the district linked up. The deputation stressed the point that the linking up of the Cobden Brigade with the Greymouth Brigade would not be satisfactory in the event of fire outbreaks at Cobden, if the fire-fighting equipment had to be taken from Greymouth. The two railway crossings would be likely’ to cause delay, as trains might be using them, and another source of delay would be the traffic on the Cobden bridge, particularly the buses. The deputation asked whether the Board could assist in having included in the Merger Bill, to come before Parliament, a provision enabling the Cobden Brigade to remain separate. The Chairman and Mr. McGinley expressed their personal willingness to do anything possible to assist the Cobden Brigade, but said they could speak only for themselves. The matter would be brought before the meeting of the Fire Board. This was done, last evening, and tho Board decided to protest against the abolition of the Cobden Brigade. The Chairman and secretary of the Board are to confer with the Mayor and Town Clerk of Greymouth, and the Chairman of the Cobden Town Boaid, with the object of framing representations to the Government.