GREY FIRE BOARD

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1938, Page 8

GREY FIRE BOARD

QUARTERLY MEETING. Mr W. H. Parfitt (chairman) presided at the quarterly meeting of the Greymouth Fire Board last evening,' when there were also present Messrs J. B. Kent, R. J. Williams, E. H. Box, F. S. Grant and the Superintendent (Mr, P. Deere). The chairman welcomed Mr Box after his return from a six months’ tour of England. The Greymouth Borough Council advised that it was prepared to dispose of the property in Fox Street, Cobden, at present used for the fire station, for £B5. In reply to the chairman the Superintendent said that the section would require a lot of filling before it could be further built on. Mr Kent said that the present building had been added to. and improved. Mr Grant said that he understood that the land could be purchased for a nominal sum. Mr Kent, said he had suggested that, but it had been pointed out that the Council was a contributor to the cost. The figure was arrived at after a report from a competent man. Only £5 had been allowed for the building. Mr Williams said that the amount was purely nominal. ' The chairman remarked that it seemed reasonable as it wcxuld cost, much more to buy a section and erect a station. The Superintendent said that the building would be suitable for perhaps 10 years. Mr Grant moved that the offer be accepted, saying that the Board had to purchase a property sooner or later.

The motion was sgcpnded by Mr Bo* and carried.

The Cobden Brigade advised that P. Roche and J. Skeats Junr, messengers, having reached the necessary age, had been admitted as fulltime firemen.

COBDEN BRIGADE. The following report in reference to the Cobden Brigade was received frdm the Inspector of Fire Brigades (Mr R. Girling-Butcher):— An inspection of the fire station plant and equipment and personnel of the brigade was made on 11th instant, a fairly good muster being present considering the short notice given. The inspection drills which were smartly carried out showed that with the improved water supply and the operation of the two pumps it is now possible to obtain at least six good stream s between Mackay Street and Mawhera Quay so that unless a very late call is received the brigade should now be able to deal with any fire likely to arise in th® business area of the town. When passing through Greymouth on 7th instant

I requested the Superintendent to arrange with the Cobden members of the brigade to attend the inspection muster but unfortunately only a small number were able to attend. After the inspection drills the future arrangements for organisation of the Greymouth and Cobden sections of the brigade were discussed at a brigade meeting and it was made clear to the Cobden members that it would be impossible to operate as an entirely independent unit. I pointed out that, had there been no brigade in Cobden when the district came into the Greymouth Borough it would have been quite justifiable to increase the strength of the brigade by a further six men, making a total of 26 and arranging that some of the members should be resident in the Cobden area. This would have involved an increase in the operating cost of a proportion-

ate amount and was a proper charge against the fire protection service of the Borough. An indication was given that the Cobden men would prefer to retain in some degree their identity as a brigade and I therefore made tb v e 1 suggestion that if they desire this, they should be content to accept remuneration on a different basis to that adopted in respect to the Greymouth section of the brigade. The proposal put to the meeting was that the payment to the Cobden brigade should consist of payment by the Board of the insurance for the full brigade, a payment equivalent to the cost of six complete sets of uniform, and an annual payment equal to the retainers paid to six men in the Greymouth section. This arrangement would result in the Cobden brigade receiving a larger subsidy than has been the case in the past and it would be possible for them to provide uniforms etc. out of this amount provid- , nworotn nn

ed they were prepared to operate on a purely volunteer basis as hitherto. The proposals seemed to be acceptable to the men and were subsequently discussed with the local members of the Board who agreed that the proposal was a reasonable one. It is most desirable that the position of the Cobden brigade should be cleared up as soon as possible and they should be required to drill and function. as a part of the Greymouth brigade.. In th e event of a serious fire in Greymouth their services would undoubtedly be valuable and there is therefore justification for maintaining the strength of the unit at the minimum required for affiliation with the United Fire Brigades Association. It was there-

fore arranged that down to this minimum no replacement should be made I am satisfied that with the settlement of the difficulty arising out of the desire of the Cobden brigadesmen for retention of their identity the brigade will function in a perfectly satisfactory manner. I shall be glad if you will let me know in due course the action taken by the Board and the agreement arrived at. Mr Grant said that the report was contradictory in parts and seemed to go right back on the Board’s previous discussion.

Mr Kent said that the proposal was to keep Cobden independent so that the brigade could remain as a member of the Association.

Mr Grant remarked that the only difference theft, was /that Cobden would attend town fires if necessary. He asked if there had been any dissatisfaction over the Baord’s previous decision to entirely incorporate Cobden and the town brigades. The previous decision was reached in accordance with Government requirements. Mr Kent said that there had been no dissatisfaction and he pointed out that Mr Butcher was the Government’s inspector.

Superintendent Deere in reply to a question said that the Minister of Internal Affairs had advised that the Cobden men must come under the Board and be under its discipline. 1 Mr Grant: The report seems to override the Minister’s instructions. Mr Kent disagreed with this view and said that the proposals seemed

the best method as they would have in Cobden men who knew the district and could be on the- spot in time. Mr Grant: It seems ridiculous to have two brigades in a town of this size.

The secretary (Mr E. J. Rundle) said that the Board paid only insurance on Cobden members. The insurance would still be paid, and the Board would provide six uniforms as well as paying six men at the same rate as in Greymouth. The total cost would be £36. The Cobden members had agreed to pool the payments to provide ui>forms for the rest of the other men.

In reply to Mr Grant, the chairman said that the Cobden men at present provided their own uniforms. • J

Mr Box said that the Board should pay for the uniforms in any case. If the Cobden men liked to pool their payments that was their own pigeon.

Mr Kent remarked that the pro-' posals meant that they would have more men and a much more efficient service. <

The Superintendent said that he had wanted to keep the Cobden brigade till they had the water supply. He had notified them that no replacements of men were to be made. The number had dropped from 20 to 15, and with the two who had been admitted now stood at. 17. position was that the Board would’ have the services of 17 men for' the cost of 6.

Mr Grant said that it had to be understood that the Cobden men took their instructions from Superintendent Deere. '

The chairman said that had been made dear. Mr Kent: When you find volunteers so keen, you should put nothing in their way.

Mr Grant said that the men were entitled to sympathy, but the Board had to make certain of the discipline. Mr Box said that the proposals seemed to him to be very reasonable.

It was decided on the motion of Messrs Williams and Kent, that the report be adopted a|d the proposals put into effect The Board decided to purchase the necessary uniforms for the Cobden men, the matter being left to the chairman, secretary and Superintendent.

Accounts amounting to £272 14s 3d were passed for payment. The Superintendent’s report was adopted as follows:—

I beg to submit my report since last meeting. The brigade has had nine calls as under:—July 29: Mr Brislane, High Street —sheds; July 30: Mr Brislane, High Street —sheds; August 3: Mr Sotheran’s factory, Arney Street; August 21: Manchester House, Alexander Terrace; September 4; Mr North’s house, Murray Street; September 7: Mr Howell’s High Street—wash house; September 30: Mr Casey’s Blackmore Street —shed; November 1: Australasian Hotel, High Street; November 19: Mr Shannon’s Tarapuhi Street —wash house. Through the brigade getting early calls there was very little damage done to any o f the property. Mr Sotheran sent a donation to the brigade funds of £2 and a letter (?f thanks for the good work of the brigade; also Mrs Carney of the Australasian Hotel, a cheque for, £5 and a letter thanking the brigade for the good save made. The usual practices and fires have been well attended and the plant kept in good order. Mr W. Braithwaite, who has been sleeping on the High Street station for the past ten years, has resigned from the brigade owing to his beiijg married and «we were sorry to lose him as a member. The vacancy has been filled,by the appointment of Mr G. Brown. We have had an inspection by Mr R. Girling Butcher and you will receive his report, also regarding*

Cobden which he has recommended for your approval. The Superintendent also. • reported on the recent to secretary J. G. Walton, and on the motion of Messrs Williams and'Box it was decided to record appreciation of the brigade’s efforts in honouring Mr Walton. ' , k ■ The chairman extended'seasonable greetings to members of-the Board, the press and the Superintendent' and members of the brigade.' ’