Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, MARCH 21st. 1935. FIREPREVENTION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 March 1935, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, MARCH 21st. 1935. FIREPREVENTION.

u piRE Prevention Week” is being held throughout the Dominion, mainly to enforce on the minds of the public the duty of over being vigilant against causes of fire. Too often, such outbreaks are due to human carelessness. Enormous property losses occur annually, to say nothing of the loss of life, injury to limbs, etc. and the danger fire-fighters are forced to face. New Zealand has an unenviable record where fire damages are concerned, and al though an improvement has been achieved in the last year or two. there remains scope for further lessening the number of outbreaks Some people are indifferent rei garding fires, —some, it is said, al- : most encourage these,—in the fallacious belief that rich insurance companies are the only sufferers. It is overlooked that the amount 1 of the premiums charged is regulated by the risks run, and the more the fires, the higher the companies must charge for coven. Recently. premiums have been lowered because of the fewer outbreaks and consequent lesser losses. Were this infrequency to I increase, so would relatively the cover charges decrease. Thus, it may he seen that fire-losses are shared by the general community as well as the companies. Any public indifferenci* regarding fires ' would dwindle were this fact more j adequately realised. In view of the ( economic depression prevailing of ; late years, it is a tribute to nation- J al honesty that there have been fewer fires. Arson is an ugly word. c but ex'bs cannot be shut to the f probability that many fires have , not been entirely accidental. •* Coronial inquiries arc held occasionally. hut it is difficult to prove in-’J cendiarism. Such inquests might be 5 held more frequently, to public ad- J vantage. Even if actual

were not convicted, these proceedings would act as a deterrent to

any seeking insurance money to overcome their financial troubles. Finally, it is opportune to note that Greymouth has been fortunate regarding the number or the seriousness of fire-outbreaks of late, and it is to be hoped that, this happier state of affairs will be assisted to continue, by the citizens co-operating in every way, to keep at a minimum, the calls on the services of the district brigade. The improved water supply to the Borough makes the firemen’s task easier, and the equipment is of the best. The human factor, however, is what counts most, and, in this respect, Greymouth has cause for gratification. Its volunteer firebrigade shows keenness and efficiency and is entitled to the community ’s thanks for the manner in which it prepares against fires, and, also, the way it handles outbreaks when these occur. An invitation is extended by the brigad° to citizens, to see for themselves how they are protected against the worst consequences of fires, and a large attendance at the brigade’s headquarters, this evening, would be the best vote of thanks to the firemen for their valuable public service. It must be emphasised, however, that the peoplq, themselves, can do most in the way of fire-fighting, by maintaining high standards of carefulness.