HASTINGS FIRE BOARD.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 59, 20 February 1911, Page 8

HASTINGS FIRE BOARD.

A special meeting of the Hastings Fire Board was held in the Council Chambers this afternoon. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. A. Miller) in the chair. Messrs. A. A. George, D. O’Reillv, T. Styles, J. B. Ching, and H. H. Marshall.

J. W. Poynton, Superintendent of the State Guaranteed Advances Board, wrote stating that the Board had declined the application for £3OOO for the purchase of land, fencing, erection of fire station, etc., as the Hastings Fire Board had no power to strike a special rate as security for the loan, as required by section 69, paragraph C, of the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Act, 1909.

The Chairman and Messrs. Ching and Marshall were appointed a committee to arrange for a loan of £3OOO, and to report to the next meeting.

Superintendent Brausch applied for leave of absence to attend the annual Fire Brigades’ Conference at Hokitika.— Granted on condition that the deputy-superinten-dent resides in the town during his absence.

Superintendent Brausch reported that Engineer List had obtained a capable substitute to take his place during his absence at the Hokitika demonstration. — Leave sanctioned, all substitutes. The resignation of Mr. A. Collinge as secretary of the board was accepted with regret, and on the motion of Mr. George it was decided to invite applications for the position. The action of the Chairman in engaging a secretary pro tern was endorsed.

The Chairman and Mr George were empowered to arrange for an overdraft of £5OO with the Bank of New South Wales, and to seal and sign a mortgage if necessary. It was further decided to pay the balance of the purchase money of the section acquired by the Board from Mr. E. J. Watt.

On the motion of Mr. Ching :t was decided that Messrs’. Logan, Williams and White be appointe 1 solicitors to the Board. It was decided to enforce Section KJ of the Fire Brigades Act. 1908. which empowers the Board to add 10 per cent, to outstanding levies in the case of ail insurance <-ompanies failing to make their quar tetly payments within the speci fie J time. It was also decided inform insurance companies -hat levies must be paid in full, induct ing exchange on cheques payable at Hastings.