FIRE BRIGADES BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2198, 30 September 1907, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADES BILL.

(Spooial to Timoß.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. A Bill t<> amend the Fire Brigades Act of last session has been introduced in the Legislative Council by the Attornoy-Goiieral. The measure sets otlt that in future the Government in respect of the protection ol public buildings shall pay a fixed amount to the firo brigades, viz., £SOO per annum in tho case of the Auckland, Christchurch, aud Dunedin Boards, and £760 to tho Wellington Board, tho larger sum in tho latter case being duo to the fact that the Parliamentary and Government Buildings are situated in tho Board’s area. In the case of tho other fire districts tho Government’s annual contribution shall bo a sum equal to one-tenth of the Board’s estimated annual expenditure, but not execeeding in any ease tlio sum of £3O. The Boards may borrow money, appoint officors, and inspoct electrical installations. All land and buildings used for public fare prevention purposes at the date oi tho constitution of a fire area shall bo transferred to the Board, and the cost of the -property or plant shall bo ascertained either by agreenuvnt or arbitration. Ino Hoard shall pay to tho local authority interest at tho rate of 4 per cent on tho capital cost of the property, but the Bill only provides for paying interest for 25 yoars, aud tho Boards are not to. be under any obligation to pay the capital value of such property. If any local authority objects' to transfer any land or buildings to the Board on the ground that it is inexpedient in the public interest that such land or buildings should bo permanently devoted to firo prevention purposes, the dispute shall bo determined by arbitration, and if the objection is maintained bv the arbitrators, the said land or buildings shall bo exempt from the operation of tho Act, It is provided that for tho purpose of verifying returns in connection with fixing of insuranco companies’ contributions, a Board shall bo entitled to demand that tlio books and accounts may be submitted to any authorised olficor of the Audit Department. Any default in so doing ,vili render tho company liablo to a Ano of £5 per day while the default continues. The contributions by local authorities and insurance companies shall be paid in advance. Power is given to the Boards to require any coroner ill their district co hold an inquest in regard to any are within the area under their jurisdiction. Iu such a case the Boards may assume possession of inv premises where a firo occurred, pending the holding of tho inquest. < 0 area shall be declared a fire district unless it contains a population if not less than fivo thousand