MORAL DUTY OF FIRE BRIGADE IS INSIDE BOROUGH

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1947, Page 4

MORAL DUTY OF FIRE BRIGADE IS INSIDE BOROUGH

The Greymouth Fire Brigade had no moral duty to attend the fire on Mr. Minehan’s property at North Beach, said Mr. W. E, Olds, at last evening’s quarterly meeting of the Greymouth Fire Board, when discussing the superintendent’s report. Mr. Olds said he wished it to be made clear that it was not the fault of the brigade, that the building had not been saved, perhaps more than had been the case. It was understood of course that the brigade had been called late, but the fire had been outside the jurisdiction of the brigade, in that it had been outside the borough. The chairman remarked upon the opportunity which the fire had presented for the use of the brigade’s up-to-date equipment, adding that members of the brigade had carried out a fine job on that occasion.

Mr. J. B. Kent presided, also present being Messrs J. Walton, W. E. Olds, N. Bowman, W. Pring (secretary), and G. Nelson (deputy superintendent).

The board offered no objection to the addition of threg auxiliary members on the staff of the Cobden Brigade, provided that such addition would not incur any liability on the' board.

It was decided to record the board’s congratulations to Mr. R. A. Tyler for his ‘excellent work in preparing the plans for the new Cobden Station.

A tender for the purchase of the board’s old Model T engine for £2O for the Kumara Brigade was accepted, with a proviso that the board would, as a goodwill gesture, grant 25 per cent, discount to the Kumara Brigade on cash payment. The board resolved to donate £25 to the Greymouth Fire Brigade to aid in its preparations for the SOth Anniversary to be held shortly. The superintendent’s report stated that the brigade had received seven calls since the last meeting. The Ford truck recently purchased for Cobden had been painted and equipped and was now in service in that district, while the necessary alterations to the Fire Station had been completed. The tower at the Main Station was in a very bad and dangerous condition owing to erosion and the superintendent recommended that the two top sections be dismantled, as they were not now necessary, the fire-bell having been removed. It would also be advisable to have the tower painted & s soon as possible. The Main Station was also in need of a coat of paint. The use of a room as a meeting place for the Greymouth Girl Guides' Association at the High Street Station had been granted, subject to it not being required for brigade purposes.