HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1925, Page 4

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

TUESDAY, DEC. loth. The Board met at 7.30 p.m. Present: Hon H. 1.. Michel (Chairman), Messrs J. H. Wilson, H. M. Coub son, A. li. Eleock and ,J. E. Grierson. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. The Chairman expressed regret at not ltcino present at last meeting, and took the opportunity of thanking niem--1 er.s for re-electing him as Chairman during his absence. From Mr Watkins apologising for absence owing to illness of his wife.— 'deceived. From J. It. Cameron thanking Board for vot of thanks passed on his retirement from the Board.—Deceived. Fro in Department of Internal AfFai•tek nowlodging order for fire Itose, and approving of annual estimates.—Deceived. From Secretary Canterbury Fire t'nderwriters’ Association, thanking tlie Hoard for explanation of condition of lire plugs.- Deceived. From S. W. Didland. niglitwatchinan. notifying extra work in eonneetion with recent fires.—Deceived. A

minis of £."! was voted. From Canterbury ('nderwritors' As-

sociation. Christchurch. forwarding £2 2e watching duties at the Methodist Church fire, and 10s for Opera House lire for the same purpose. —Deceived. From Audit Oflive. returning balance -beet duly certified to without exception. Deceived.

From Hokitika Fire Brigade applying lor a grant towards the expenses ■!] team to Dunedin demonstration. - Deceived and vote of .fcjci/ passed. From Department of Internal Affairs forwarding copies of regulations in regard to cinema shows. - Deceived; i eiei red to Superintendent. From liispetor Hugo as follows: An inspection of the Hokitika Brigade and its equipment was made on the 3rd. iusi. when at the inspection muster there was present the Superintendent, Deputy and 17 liremen. ■Certain inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner and instruction was given in the standardised “four men squad'’ drill. The various hose reel stations and their equipment was tound to he in their usual good order. T would recommend that a limited number ol men lie enrolled to act in conjunction with the Brigade, a.s Volunteer Fire Polio. on the lines fully explained at the lime of my visit to I lokitika. In the matter of engine suction hose. Merry weather's catalogue price for four inch hose runs from Ids to IDs per foot. Morris and Son's. Manchester, catalogue, a (in. “Special Quality Motor Fire Engine Suction Hose" at 7.s fid per foot, which appears to me to he quite suitable for your purpose. The prices quoted may he subject to some

increase. From Department, of Internal Affairs forwarding copy of Inspector Hugo's annual inspection. Deceived and satisfaction expressed at the excellent report.

From Treasurer reporting receipts £302 7s Oil, payments £lO3 Jo.s Od. credit balance £llO IS.s Id. —Received. From .Secretary reporting there were in discrepancies oil the tell-tale clock fur the period.—Deceived as highly satisfactory. SFI’FDTXTFNI)FXT'S REDOUT. Gentlemen I have the honor to report- that the repairs to the steam lire engine have been completed, and r'tlccD credit to Mr Davidson ami lib staff for the excellent work done. On trial the engine worked splendidly, throwing two letter streams of water than it. lias for some years. T iegret having to report that we have just pissed through an epidemic of in etidiarisni. tie- work of some person or persons of nithalaiice'l minds. No Ifs. then nine outbreaks of lire have f: cut ted (luting the last six mouths, ami of tin se seven were undoubtedly the acts of an incendiary. The fire loss for the period under review will he in the neighbour'hood of £ oil if). A competition between nine member.- of our hrii'ade. was run oil’ on Saturday least, to decide who would lie the five men to !■••;.re-out Hokitika at the Dunedin (bunon-l rat ion to he held early in Mareli. The team -tarts active training at once. Inspector Hugo after his recent inspection painde, :idi!>v--ud the Brigade and strongly urged the formation of a h idy ; f about six lire police, care being taken to have them raiding in different parts of the town, fit esc men to lie of unblemished integrity, they having in times of lire ail the powers of a regular eoustalde. Their first duty vould he to mane <ertain that, all inhabitants of the building on lire were '.hear, reporting to the officer in charge ol tlie Brigade; to locale, open amt (bar nearest lire plug, then to assist in and supervise all salvage operation- It sttcli are required, also to assist the regular police in checking pil!D'f’\ 111 is Duly .if formed. 1001111! need to he sworn in annually. There can he ttu doubt that this .suggestion, if given effect to. would add in tlie efficiency of the fiTo .service of the town, and is worthy of careful consideration.

- -Deceived. considered clause by clause and adopted.

A general discussion took place in regard to the lire plugs in the town, the water pre-sore and other matters nffo'ling the Hoard including a suggestion liy the Superintendent regarding the advisability of lho nightwatchmnn patrolling poriioji of the town. It was stated that the whole of the fire plug- had boon inspected, and the indicators renovated, the whole being in satisfactory order. The water pressure was also satisfactory, and there was an average of about 8 feet of water in the reservoir daily. Accounts amounting to ,£278 10s Id were passed for payment. The Board rose at B.lft p.m.