OTAKI FIRE BOARD.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 September 1927, Page 8

OTAKI FIRE BOARD.

QUARTERLY MEETING.

The quarterly meeting .of the above was held at the fire station last week. Present: Messrs J. P. Brandon (chairman), A. Gierke, E. Irvine, H. Taylor, and N. M. Thomson (secretary). Minutes of the last quarterly meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Irvine asked if telephones had been arranged so as to he continuous in case of fire, and received an answer from the secretary that they were being installed at various places in the town. A hope was also expressed that satisfactory arangemonts for ;i telephone would also 'be made at Otaki Railway.

Mr. Irvine also asked if further hose, offered by the Wellington Board, has arrived, and the secretary in response stated that it had been ordered but had not yet come to hand. Mr. Irvine reported that he had taken part of the weight off the doors Which were now working satisfactorily. A report was tabled that at yesterday morning's /ire thirteen members out of fifteen had attended, while the complete plant had been used. The cause of the fire was unknown, while credit was given members for making a good save. A letter was read from the Borough Council expressing surprise at the increased levy for the current year, but the members considered this was a matter that could be easily explained by the secretary. —.Decided that the secretary write to the Council and explain matters. A letter was read from the Chan/ber of Commerce inviting- members to attend at a social evening on the 2Sth. — Decided that as many members as possible would attend. Mr. Irvine asked if the Borough Council had received a balance-sheet of the Fire Board's doings. —It was decided to supply a copy, but to point out that it was subject to audit.

- A vote of thanks was accorded members of the brigade and others who had assisted in dismantling the tower at the hospital and removing it to the station. It was stated that expert advice was needed for its re-erection, but Mr. Taylor considered the matter one that could easily ibe arranged. He stated his willingness to give assistance in its reerection, offering his services gratis so as to save expense. ' It was decided that the matter be. left in the hands of Mr. Taylor to attend to.

Members of the brigade were called into the .meeting-room, when the chairman again complimented them, on behalf of the Board, for their fine work at the fire, and added that their work had been fully appreciated. The brigade, he said, was recognised as an acquisition to the town and he knew that members would always do their best for the benefit of the residents. He assured all that the Board would do its best for the brigade.

Superintendent Cockrcll suitably acknowledged the remarks.. It was decided to grant 15s towards a fireman's clothes, damaged at yesterday's fire. • The chairman pointed out to Superintendent Cockrc-ll that he had stated at the Council meeting that the increase 01 expense was in no way due to the Board, but he could assure Mr. Cockrcll that any increase of expenditure by the Board was made on behalf of the brigade. Mr. Cockrcll said that he only wished to point out that \ the brigade had made no extraordinary demand for equipment. Mr. Clerke supported the chairman and stated that any money spent was for t'ric brigade, while Mr. Irvine said there was no difference between the two bodies.

The chairman said the public might get the impression that the Board was not being economically managed. In reply to Mr. Irvine, Mr. Taylor said there were two posts left over from the fencing of the section. The former said in that case they had now disappeared. Superintendent Cockrell reported one call during the quarter, that to a bakehouse, where the outbreak was quickly subdued. The brigade had turned out at full strength and had been complimented. The gear was in first-class order while new members, whb were willing and active, had joined the brigade. He thought tha't the Board might consider the purchase of a primus stove and a torch, which could be used on the occasion of fires. He reported that the tower had been dismantled but considered its re-erection beyond the power of memlbers. H<? also stated that telephone arrangements had been made in case of fires between midnight and 6 a.m.. In a further report the Superintendent dealt with yesterday's lire, stating there was an excellent muster while the men had done smart work.

Mr. Gierke moved the s adoption of the Teport, with power to procure necessary equipment.

Several accounts were passed for payment, and others held over pending investigation. The chairman said under the Act he could no longer continue as a representative on the Board, the Act stating

that no person who is a member or servant ot ; a contributing local authority shall hold office as Government representative. He had been appointed by the Government, but it was now clearly stated that lie could no longer hold office. He had taken gi;eat interest in the Board and was sorry to have, to retire, but he assured all that anything he could do for the Board he would be only too pleased to do. My. Clerke thought the matter should be left over till next meeting, in tlie meantime the secretary -could write to the Minister of Internal Affairs on the matter.

This was agreed to. The secretary submitted the balancesheet as below, and the chairman in making reference to it considered that the expenses had been most reasonable, and that things had been carried out very economically. There had been no waste of money. Statement of income and Expenditure, Year ended 30th June, 1927. INCOME. £sd £ s d Balance 30/6/26 175 .11 0 Contributions: — Government 39 17 # Otaki Bor. CI. 179 9 5 Insurance Coys. 179 9 5 Interest earned by loan moneys on fixed dep 9 7 (] Otaki Volunteer Fire Brigade 50% purchase price of piano . . 151 0 0 Excess Levy (exchange) 9 (J Unpresenteri Cheques 41 18 2 Less credit balance as Bank Pass Book 6 4 5 :!5 J 3 9 £'534 17 9 j EXPENDITURE. ! _ £ s■ d £ s d ■ ►Secretary's salary 50 0 () Insurance: Fire engine .... 21 .12 0 Accident 5 19 0 Telephone Bureaux, stamps and postages .14 0 3 Printing and stationery 8 6 fi Men-ilbers' travelling ' expenses 8 0 8 Equipment Account: — Furnishings .... 40 13 0 Piano 30 0 0 Hose and couplings ... 55 10 0 Hose dryingstand 10 0 0 Chemical 6 J 7 6 Jerseys and UniSundries f 12 12 10 forms 17 1 2 Sundry expenses:— A. E. Standen—balance due on fire ■ station contract 53 15 9 A. E. Standen —refund dep 45 18 9 E. R. Wells—Architect's charges .. 36 16 0 Annual sub. U.F.B.A. — 1926 2 16 6 1927 3. O 0 Surveyor's charge 3 3 0 Petty expenses 16 19 6 Otaki Borough Cl. 2nd instalment ... 5 0 G Otaki Volunteer Fire Brigade.— Annual grant ... 5 0' 0 ) Special grant ..900 Demonstration expenses .... 5 0 0 _ 191 0 0 Interest on ]«an (£1500) 90 0 0 Sinking fund loan (£1500) 60 0 0 Cash in hand 5 'J 4 £634 17 9 ■Mr. Taylor considered that in. view of the likelihood of wandering stock a gate, be erected at the side o,f the station to prevent animals doing damage.—Left to Mr. Taylor and the secretary, the cost not to exceed 30s. Mr. Taylor stated that euchre parties had been held at the station, and members of the, Chamiber of Coniimerce had spoken 011 the matter with a view of having the use of the room. They desired the Board's opinion on the mat' ter.

Mr. Irvine said the matter had been discussed iby several of the general public. Personally, he was against the Board offering the use of the room to anyone except where the brigade members were concerned. Mr. Gierke agreed that the room was for the use of brigade members and not a social hall. If the brigade invited anyone to go along well and good. The chairman concurred. It was agreed that the room be used for fire brigade purposes only. It was also decided that business with the brigade go through the superintendent.