HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1931, Page 3

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

WEDNESDAY, JULY, 15th

The Board met at 7.30 p.m. Present: Messrs A. iR. 'Elcock (Ch...rman) W. Braddon, J. J. Breeze, K. B. Bain, and (J. L. Green. The minutes of previous meeting were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Minister of Internal Affairs, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of copy of estimates.-^ißeceived. From J. J. Mclntosh and family, thanking board for motion of sympathy passed ved. From Secretary h..V.F. Brigade, thanking board on behalf of members of the H.V.F. Brigade for granting their request for trousers, hose etc.—Received. From 'J. Mercer and Son, forwarding quote for extinguishers.—Received ; two ordered.

From Department of 'lnternal Affairs, re return of fires for the ydar 1931, also inventory form for attention.—Received. From S. W. Ridland, watchman, applying for annual leave.—Received and granted. From Captain 'Hugo, letter of thanks for goodwill and. appreciation from board. —'Received. From Government .Statistician re regulation for statisticial returns.—Re-| ceived.

From Department of Internal Affairs, re subsidy, notifying 10 per cent cut.— Received.

From 'Same, notifying alteration to Section 2 of 'Finance Act 1921-22. Received. .

From Census and Statistics Office, acknowledging returns for the year 1931. Received.

From Hokitika Fire Brigade, notifying appointment of J. J. Mclntosh and L. 'L. .Ross, as Superintendent and Deputy. Superintendent respectively, for the ensuing year.—-'Received. SUPER INTFJNDENT’S REPORT. Gentlemen, —I must begin this report by thanking the Members for the great kindness and consideration shown to myself and family at the time of your March meeting and during our very very sad hours. Since that meeting we have had only three fire calls. .On April the 4th. the Racecourse grandstand fire proved to be a very serious loss from every point of view. The alarm was given by ’phone from upper Hampden Street just after midnight, and bv the time the Brigade arrived the fire had a great hold of the main building. There was a. fairly strong wind blowing which helped to fan the flames. We very soon found that our efforts in saving the main building were' hopeless so we - then concentrated on the,-smaller-biuild- | ings and saved what was possible. The estimated value of the building was £2300 and the contents £244 19s 6d. The insurance on the building was £IOOO and on, the furniture £125, making a : total of £1125. * There was a full muster of the Brigade and they worked well. In my opinion no blame was attachable to the night watchman on account of his view being blocked during the early- stages of the fire. The cause I should say was incendiarism. On May l6th. about 10 p.m. an attempt was made to fire Park and Murdoch’s Office by scattering a bottle of benzine under the back of the building and setting it alight, hut fortunately it did not catch on. It made a good flare while it lasted and caused No. 1. hell to be rung- The Brigade turned out quickly but by this time the fire had disappeared. Unfortunately in hurrying the motor out, something happened which caused a smash up in the gears. Repairs have been effected and it is again in good riming order. On May 23rd. about 8 p.m. No. 1 bell rang out an alarm. Thfs was a fire fin an iron store at Davidson’s foundry. The Brigade were, quickly on the scene and made a good save. Mr Davidson said about £SO worth of damage had been done. There was no insurance. There was a good muster o' the Brigade and they did good work. (The cause was accidental). Gentlemen, I feel it my duty to mention the .conditions that exist in upper Sewell Street. There is a row of' about eight or ten very nice cot tages on the west side of the Street andi it is about fourteen chains from the upper plug to the last cottage which is in the third block. I. would recommend that the water mains be extended about ten chains with the necessary plugs for that distance. Our gear is all in fair order at present. The membership stands at full strength aind the good fellowship continues as usual.

On behalf of the Brigade, I must thank your Board' for their continued support.—Received.

Mr Breeze asked what was the cause and who was to blame for the damage, to the motor engine on the occasion of the fire at Park and 'Murdoch’s.

The Superintendent stated that when the first fireman arrived at the station two, young men, not firemen were on the seat of the motor engine and the engine was running, but it was found that there was trouble with the gears of the engine and after returning to the station it was found the gears had been stripped and repairs costing over £22 had been found necessary, the engine - being out of use for over a week. Action had been taken so that now only Firemen J. Mclntosh jnr., and Kennedy-were authorised to take the motor engine out' of the shed,