FIRE DANGER STRESSED

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 February 1947, Page 4

FIRE DANGER STRESSED

BRIGADE CONCERNED AT LOW WATER PRESSURE The Runanga Fire Brigade is concerned at the fire hazard during periods when the swimming baths are being refilled, and the superintendent of the brigade, Mr. J. Alrnond, and his deputy, Mr. J. Spark, met the Borough Council last evening with the request that efforts be made to maintain the water pressure during the refilling of the baths. Mr. Almond said that during several days recently residents on the hills had been without water, and had there been a fire, nc water would have been available. He suggested reducing the pipe size at the baths to prevent an excessive draw-off, and so conserve pressure. The borough foreman, Mr. T. Merriman, said that on return from his holidays he inspected the reservoir and found it empty, with the bottom dry, indicating that it had been empty for some days. The meter showed a pressure in the town of 501 b. He learnt the baths had been refilled last week without his knowledge. To help the baths committee provide fresh water for a carnival, he had spent nearly all night controlling the inflow to ensure a town supply. If properly controlled the reservoir could be kept filled. Reducing the size of inlet pipe would not help. The only remedy, said Mr. Merriman, was to by-pass the reservoir and use water from the mains only during the off-hours of the night, and to cut off the supply to the baths when the town demand was renewed in the mornings. Normally no water went into the reservoir during the day; in fact, it often lost two to four feet’, and it depended for refilling on the flow during the night when there was no residential draw-off. If the baths were filled from the reservoir overnight, it took a long time to make up the loss. His practice when filling the baths was to by-pass the reservoir and give a retarded supply until 10.30 p.m., then a fuller supply until 4 a.m., when the supply was cut down again. Safeguarding Supply. Mr. Spark said the brigade was concerned with the pressure available. It was all right while the foreman was in charge of the supply, but he had been on holiday, and the firefighting supply had not been safeguarded. On the motion of Crs. Barrow and Hambley, it was decided that two representatives of the council and two of the fire brigade meet the baths committee to discuss the matter. A second deputation was received by the council concerning another fire hazard. Mr. F. Baxendale, a resident of Seddon terrace, asked the council to have the grass and noxious weeds on the vacant land next to his home cut and destroyed. He said that last year the fire brigade was called to a fire caused by sparks from a grass fire, and with the present dry weather, there was a great danger of a repetition, especially as engine sparks were liable to set the grass alight. Land Board Property. The Mayor (Mr. E. W. Kennedy) said the property had reverted to the Land Board, and the matter would have to be taken up with the board. It was decided to write to the Land Board asking that immediate action be taken to clear the property. The Runanga Rugby League Club wrote accepting the proposed terms of lease of a playing area on the domain ,and suggesting that the council meet the club to discuss details. — Received. The Runanga Swimming Club wrote asking that some attention be given to the frontage of the swimming baths prior to the swimming championships.—The Mayor said that borough workmen were at present clearing McGowan street, including the frontage of the baths. The Railways Department wrote concerning the proposal to seal the railway crossings in Seddon, Mill, and Carroll streets, and asked for an estimate of the cost, proposing that if the work was authorised, the council staff carry it out. On the motion of Cr. Braithwaite and the Mayor, it was decided to advise the department that the council had neither the machinery nor the materials with which to do the work. Deposit of Spoil.

Mrs. Butler, McDougall avenue, wrote complaining of the stench from spoil deposited from a drain fronting her property. Cr. C. Barrow said he thought it was a genuine complaint. Much had been done to make the frontage attractive and it was not fair to leave spoil lying there. The council had created a nuisance and should remove it.

Cr. S. Braithwaite agreed, but pointed out that of necessity spoil had been left lying on the roadside in many localities as the council had no lorry with which to remove it. On the motion of the Mayor and Cr. R. Nelson, it was decided to reply that the work 'would be carried out as soon as the new lorry was delivered to the council. Mrs. W. Brown, Hall Jones street, wrote complaining that the frontage of her property was collapsing as a result of heavy traffic at the corner. —lt was decided to reply that improvements at the corner would be made. The Employment Department advised that approval had been given for the employment of two single and two married men for a further period of 13 weeks on a wages subsidy of 100 per cent. Building permits for work valued at £719 were approved. The foreman reported that a start had been made on the ploughing of the domain. _______ ■