HAWERA FIRE BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 September 1924, Page 9

HAWERA FIRE BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING

At the usual meeting there were present: Messrs. J. G. Osborne (chair), L. A. Bone, R. D. Welsh, Akers, Duncan, Grayson.

In connection with the agreement between the board and the superintendent, the chairman said there was a question of removal expenses in the conditional agreement. The board had agreed to pay £75 towards these if the inspector remained in their employ for three years, and proportionately for a shorter term. It was decided to delete the clause from the agreement, which then the superintendent was prepared to sign. The chairman brought up the matter of a water heating system for the station, and it was agreed to make inquiries regarding a new style of heater. The value of having a man on duty all his time at the station was stressed, the chairman stating that this man had done excellent work. The chairman referred to the negotiations with the County Council, and said that the fact of having dealt with three fires outside the borough would be a forcible argument. Mr. Welsh said it would be best to wait until the Nolan town business was concluded, and this was agreed to as the' wisest course.

The superintendent’s quarterly report was received, which was as follows;—.

Calls.—The number of calls to fires was eight, an increase of four when compared with the corresponding qnarte 1 of last year. Of these one was a chimney fire, one a. rubbish fire, three were for outside district calls to firea and three were for actual fives in the borough. The most serious fire tor the quarter was Goldstone and I atterson, Street, the damage being heavy by the nature of the stock contained in the building. Although the fire bell was ringing a reasonable time on this occasion only one outside member responded to. the call I venture to suggest the superintendent may with the permission of the board or chairman or deputy chairman of the board, should occasion require, permit a portion of thy brigade and plant to be taken outside the limits of the fire district for the purpose of extinguishafes. and upon such occasions charges shall be made. In some- brigades the following charges are made: Motor engine (steamer or motor pump) and hose reel, including chief officer and eight men—First hour, £l3: second hour, £7' 10s; third hour. £5 os In others, superintendent or officer in chaige, £1 1 s first,hour; each .succoedmg hour, Ids. Firemen, first Hour 5s each .each succeeding hour 2s 6d each ; each fire appliance £2- 10s. The time to be computed from the time of leavtlie station. Any other plant or service shall be charged for as the boaid in ay from, time to time arrange Staff .--The brigade, has been kept up to full strength. The present strength of the brigade is 19, including officers .and - men. During the quarter two members left the brigade and two were dismissed, The following are the names of the appointed probation members: Messrs. Grace, Cadman, Raymond, Zinsli. -Theatre c l u ty -“Firemen are stationed lor duty at each theatre (and were at winter .show buildings during show week) during each evening performance, on holidays and Saturday afternoons.

_ Health.—The general health of the Brigade has been very satisfactory, there lias not been any serious illness nor any accidents among the members during the quarter. Plant.—-The following plant has been inspected and repaired during the quarter: Magneto, carburettor, ladder (ladder' carrier), 1000 feet of hose. I‘our salvage sheets and the necessary accessories have been added to the plant, v The- motor and plant thereon are in first-class order. Fire drill.—ln company with the chairman of the board I inspected tile Hawera Public School, and Mr. Bates (hadmaster) pave an alarm of fire—--47 seconds only had elapsed when the last child left the building. The efficient manner in which the drill carried out reflects great credit on the headmaster and his staff. Six hun-. died and- seventy children were present on tliis occasion and all left' the budding in a proper manner. The public hospital was also visited, -when several of the staff were instructed how to handle the auxiliary plant connected with the institution. Watch-room.—The duties connected with the watch-room are amongst the most important in the service, and when carried out properly allow the brigade to leave the station in the quickest possible time. For this reason a fireman is placed on duty at 7.30 p.m. each evening at a remuneration of Is per night, paid out of the annual subsidy granted by the board. I would recommend that the portion (£3 2s required for watch-room duty be paid quarterly). These duties commenced on July 1. 1924. Fire alarm.—As instructed bv the chairman of the board to ask residents to allow their telephones to be used for calling the brigade, and also to permit a notice being placed on their premises notifying the public of same, 1 have much pleasure in stating that the following have consented: Mrs. 0 Donnell. Cameron Street; Mrs. H. B, Nicholas. 22 Caledonia Street; Golden Minim, Regent Street; Mr. Good, 76 Regent Street; C. W. Curtis, Princes Street; Princes Boarding House, Princes Street; Mrs. Barrow, Argyle Street; E. H. E. Nixon. 27 Victoria Street; Mr. Carter. High Street: R, Steele. 26 Disraeli Street; Mrs. Franks. 38 Wilson Street; Mr J. Barlda, 119 Victoria. Street; Mr. T. A. Ooutts. 81-83 Union Street; Mr. Shaw, Parle Store, High Street. The direct alarm from the public hospital is tested daily. Service honours.—Fireman J. Champion was presented with a two years’ gold service bar, making a total of 35 years in the fire service.

Practice. —During Ihe quarter four regular practices have been held, and the attendance on all occasions has been satisfactory. The station squad lia\'e been instructed in drills Aveekly. Toiyer. —Mr. Evans (electrical engineer) inspected the motor in the tower and ionnd both motor and pump in good running order. Both tanks are the present time. IVater pressure averages—June: 9-a.m., SR.filbs'; noon, 89.Gibs; 5 p m ol.Glbs; 9 p.in., Gfi.Slb.s. July: 9 Sfhßlbs; noon, 89.71b5; J p.m., •wj.llbs; 9 p.m., 67.81b5. August: 9am., 37.31b5; noon. 39.21b5: o p.m., oy.olbs; 0 p.m., G7./slbs. GENERAL. The question of the brigade going outside the borough boundaries to attend fires was considered at some length. Mr. Welsh said lie considered that this matter would best he left to the committee sot up, Messrs Osborne and Bone The Mayor said he was not in faA r our o.f the brigade going outside the bor-

ougß boundaries. The possibility of a fire occurring simuleaneously inside and outside the borough was considered to be a real danger. After some general discussion it was agreed that the County Council be advised of the charges suggested by the superintendent, similar to other districts, and that these would be enforced if the brigade were to be expected to go outside the borough. The committee, Messrs Osborne and Bone, are to confer with the County Council. It was resolved to leave to the committee set .up, the chairman and Mr. Bone, 'to give authority to the superintendent to go outside the borough if called, and to withdraw authority as may appear best to them.

It was decided to supply fuel as required by the superintendent. .The matter of a further supply of hose was left in the hands of the chairman, with power to act.

The chairman brought up the amtter of printed slips to be placed on telephone lists at residences where use may be made of the telephone to call up the brigade, and it was resolved to have these printed and affixed. Mr. H. L. Spratt’s resignation as a member was received, and he was thanked for his past services. Mr. j. M. Townsend was appointed by the Borough Council in his stead. The chairman advised that he attended the annual meeting of members of the brigade. The meeting then adjourned until this afternoon, when the matter of the appeal to the board of two members of the brigade who had been dismissed by the superintendent was discussed.