ELTHAM FIRE BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 October 1928, Page 7

ELTHAM FIRE BOARD.

QUARTERLY MEETING

The quarterly nleeting of the Eltham. Fire Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. E. H. Thomas (chairman), I. J. Bridger, A. Kemp (Eltftam Borough Council), S. O. Jones, N. Truby (insurance companies), H. A. Nuttall (fire superintendent), and W. Waters (secretary).

FIRE SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

The superintendent (Mr. H. A. Nuttall) reported on the brigade’s activities for the quarter as follows: Five calls were answered, these having reference to one shop, one office, a motor lorry, motor car and one chimney, the most serious outbreak being located in the Bacon Company’s office, which, owing to a late call, was practically gutted. Not a great deal of damage resulted- from the other fires. The actual loss to insurance companies in a total cover of £2350 was £570.

The personnel of the brigade is again up to full strength. Everything ui connection with .the fire station is in first-class order, and full musters at practices and meetings have been recorded. Fire drills have been carlied out in a very satisfactory manhex, earning the approbation of Inspector Hugo, who complimented the men on their efficiency. Water pressure was well maintained throughout the quarter, only once being down during the period owing to a blockage at the intake. With the chairman’s permission several small amounts have been expended on repairs at the station and l on uniforms and the purchase of a fire extinguisher for use on the motor. Two bedrooms have been, painted and papered for the use of two new men at the station. _

It is hoped that Inspector Hugo’s recommendation to increase residential accommodation at the fire station-will he taken up by the hoard. This matter has been held over for 12 months. A further recommendation is made that the board consider the provision of a motor siren in accordance with the motor regulations. INSPECTOR’S FAVOURABLE REPORT.

Tiie Inspector of Fire Brigades (Mr, T. T. Hugo) reported as follows: An inspection of the Eltham. Brigade was made on September 26, when the full strength of the brigade—two officers and 15 men—--were present. The inspection drills, were carried out in a ' very smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in. good order and condition Tne attention of the board is again called to the necessity for provision of additional residential accommodation at the fire station. A further effort should be made to enroll a volunteer fire polio© corps. Quite a number of such corps have been established, and are proving of great assistance to the voluntee fire Brigades in their respective districts. The chairman expressed his satisfaction of the efficiency of the fire brigade, as indicated by both the inspector and superintendent. In . re-'i gard to the suggestion that a firo police corps should be established,, lie said he had already sounded a number of business men on the subject, and the general opinion was that there was no urgent need of such a. body, but he, personally, thought the formation of a fire police corps, if not a necessity, would at least be justified. The chairman also deemed it an absolute necessity that the file station accommodation should be extended to meet the requirements of the stationkeeper and Ju's family. This matter had been under consideration for the past 12 months, and it was time the work was put in hand. After a lengthy discussion it was decided, on the motion of Messrs. Jones . and Truby,' that the finance committee be given authority to extend the accommodation and effect repairs at aJ oast- not exceeding £125. The fire superintendent thanked the board for its expression of sympathy in his recent illness resulting from an accident, from which he had now fully recovered.

Accounts amounting to £153 16s 10d were passed for payment.

the money had been utilised, although the information had been given to him and the public on numerous occasions. The monev had been utilised for returned soldier settlement and in.the or?n:struotion of public works.

MIGRATION POLICY.

“1 notice that Sir Joseph talks of increasing the .population of New Zealand by 300,000 or 4.00,000 in eight or ten years.” Air Coates added. “Is he committing hiiusef to an intensive inimi.graiion policy? * Our natural, increase in population is only 16,000 to 17.000 annually, if not by immigration, a s Sir Joseph some wonderful plan b- doub ing tin? birth rate or even abolishing the death rate? In a concluding reference to the £70,000,000 proposal, the Prime Minister stated that the whole soHeme was an ii'l-considered expedition to purchase temporary prosperity without any regard. to the future, of the fact- that the war obligations were keeping taxation high.

FOP TIRED WORKERS —“PRICE’S’' DRINKS.

In town and country alike, summer’s, heat is depressing and tiring to those whose days are spent in hard work. Give them- a treat —when the men of your house come home, offer them a big, cooling glass of cordial made from Price’s Fruit Extract. A 1/6 bottle riiakes 3 gallons. Flavoured limes, lemon, orange.and raspberry are among the varieties offered you at all stores. See the name—“ Price’s” —it makes all the difference. —1