HAWERA FIRE BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 March 1926, Page 7

HAWERA FIRE BOARD.

QU A BITE R,LY MEETI NG

Tlie quarterly meeting of the Hawera Fire Board was held this morn-

ing. There were present: Messrs ■). G. Osborne (Chairman), L. A. Bone, J. M. Townsend, F. Iv. Cameron, and Geo. Duncan. An apology of absence was received from Mr. .R. J. Grayson. Tt was decided to, take steps to have Die fire alarm system covered by insurance.

A letter was received from the lfawera Brigade expressing thanks for the donation of £5 per man towards the expenses of the: team which visited the United Fire Brigades’ Association's demonstration at Dunedin. The action of Mr. Duncan in allowing the team competing at the United Fire Brigades’ Association demonstration to remain for an extra day was confirmed, Mr. Duncan explaining tjiat he had deemed it reasonable to give the team the extra time, as its work in the competitions had previously allowed little if any time in which to view the exhibition. • Congratulations concerning the success of the Hawera Brigade at the demonstration, were conveyed in a letter received from the Stratford Borough Council, the board deciding to acknowledge the letter'and forward a copy to the. brigade. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The superintendent, Mr A. Morrison, submitted his report for the quarter as follows: Galls. —The total number of calls were three, a decrease of one when compared with the corresponding quarter of lasst year. Staff. —The total number of officers arid men available for duty is 19. The discipline and conduct of all ranks and the satisfactory manner in which their several duties are being carried out is all that can he desired. Street Fire Alarms.—The Telegraph Department completed the fine construction on January 19 and the box wiring on February 10. ’ A circuit contains 200 chains of wire (2) miles) and B. circuit 344 chains of wire (4 3-10 miles). A: length of 96 chains of wire was required to connect the box at the new Public Hospital with the B circuit. The total length of wire constructed is 544 chains (6 4-5 miles). The original setting of all the batteries was completed on February 15 and the street wiring on both A. 'and B. circuits was tested and found in order. The installation of the nine boxesl on the A. circuit and the 11 on the B.circuit was completed and the- whole system placed in commission on February 22. Next day a demonstration of the working of the system wa,s given in the presence of several members of the board, after which every box was tested and found to be in first-class order. I desire to express my satisfaction with the work carried out by the Telegraph Department and Duplex Fire Alarm Co. The Dennis motor fire engine was subject to a thorough test on December 14, 1925, by Inspector T. T. Hugo. The accessories missing on; the above date have duly arrived, namely 60ft of firisit aid hose, two lengths of rubberlined hose and a basket strainer. Five new nozzles also have been secured, tested, and proved satisfactory. Four new tyre;) .arrived /to replace the present ones on the machine, hut, owing to the pattern not being the correct design, this work has been held over ' Plant.—'The equipment iis in a thoroughly satisfactory condition. After reporting on the success gained by the local team at the demonstration at Dunedin, Superintendent Morrison expressed his indebtedness to the following gentlemen, who acted as substitute during the absence of the team .• Messrs G. Ogden, F. Brown, Barley, A. Muir, R. Linton., S. Maslin and A. Bryant. * Tou;er. —Mr Evaiis (electrical engineer) inspected the motor in the tower and found everything in good running order. Both tanks are full at. present. Watchroom Subsidy.—l make application on behalf of _ the brigade for the quarterly subsidy, which amounts to the sum" of £4 9s for watchroom duty.

Appreciation.—l desire to express my appreciation to Hi® Worship the Mayor, citizens and the Hawera Band for the civic reception tendered the competition team on its return from the Dunedin demonstrations. Also to Foreman H. A. Hurley and to the remaining members of the brigade for the social evening tendered the team in honour of its recent success. In conclusion I desire to convey my best thanks 1 to the chairman and members of the hoard for .their continued support towards increasing the efficiency of the service. NEW MAIN SUGGESTED.

Replying to the chairman, the superintended explained that under existing conditions the water from the baths was not readily accessible for use in the event of fire in the middle area ol the town. He suggested that the existing main leading from the tower to the baths be tapped beneath High Street. This would enable the pump to draw the water from the baths at a point where it oould be conveniently distributed.

Answering Mr. Spratt, the superintendent said that water could be conveyed in this manner for a distance oi 2000' feet, though as the distance from the pump increased there would be a commensurate lessening of pressure.

Mr. Spratt suggested that a pipe fine from the baths be run along High Street, in order that the water would be available at various points on this thoroughfare.

Both suggestions were approved, and the superintendent was instructed to confer with the engineer to the Borough Cbunoil, the secretary to he guided accordingly in the matter of requesting the council to have the necessary work undertaken. • ALARM INDICATORS. During a discussion, opened by Mr. Cameron, relating to the indication of lire alarm boxes on telegraph poles, the superintendent reported that arrangements were being made to have the red band painted right round the post instead of only in the front as at present. Mr. Duncan emphasised the advantage of having the red band bordered with white, and, the superintendent concurring, he was directed to arrange for this also, if possible, GENERAL. Referring to the cessation of electriccurrent Supply between certain hours this week, the chairman mentioned that on the first occasion on which the supply had been cut off it was not known bv the brigade that such was intended. He pointed out that a certain amount of delay and confusion would be caused at the station if m the event of an alarm it was unexpectedly found that the light was not available. On his motion it was decided) to request- the Electric Light Company to notify the brigade -whenever possible of any intention to cut off the supply.

A committee comprising Messrs Bone, Cameron, Townsend and Spratt was appointed to wait upon the County Council with a view to obtaining a retaining fee for fire fighting purposes in the area beyond the bounds of'the borough. A cheque lor £3 3s was received from Mrs. R. L. Pease in appreciation of services rendered by the brigade, and it was decided to forward the donation to the brigade to be added to the social fund. "Appreciation of the hospitality etctended by brigade members on .the occasion of the welcome home function tendered to the team oh its return from the TJ. F. 13. A. demonstration was expressed by board members, and it -was decided to forward a letter of thanks to the brigade. _ Tt was also decided to forward, a letter suitably congratulating the team on its success at the demonstration.