FIRE BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14682, 13 May 1908, Page 4

FIRE BOARD.

LAST EVENING'S MEETING

Tlie Christdmrcli Fire Board met last evening; present—Messrs J. D. Hall (chairman), C Allison, H. 11. Busbridge, ±i. S. Batchelor, H. B. Sorensen and W. D. Meares.

The chairman said that Mr Hugo had been appointed Inspector under the Act but no official notice of tho fact had reached the Hoard, and it was not clear what his duties were, nor whether his services and advice were available to the Board. .In view of the fact that tho Board was about to obtain new plant it might be as well to ascertain whether Mr Hugo's advico could be obtained.

The Railway Fire Brigade wrote stating that it could not accept tho Board's cheque for £2O as a gratuity for its services at the fire of February G. The Brigade had not asked for n gratuity but had made a legitimate claim for £25 17s for its services during the time they were not voluntary. It would accept the £2O as part payment .

iho chairman said there was no fixed scale for the Brigade. Mr lttisbrldge moved that the full amount of £25 17s 6d should be paid. The chairman said that it was a question whether it was to be called a "gratuity" or the amount of a claim, since the matter affected the insurance policies.

Mr Rusbridge said that the Brigado would not mind what tho Board called it.

Mr Sorenson seconded the motion, and suggested that the Railway Briir, ado should be asked to confer with the Board in regard to future services.

The motion was carried and the chairman was asked to write to the Brigade explaining the position of the Board in paying the amount and suggesting a conference.

It was decided to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of £BO 19s from the Government for the Brigade's services at the Sunnyside fire.

The Finance Committee reported receipts since the previous meeting totalling £3585, made up of contributions from insurance cnmnaiiies £515 lis 2d, C.'ty Council £1906 ss, Government £SO, refund for pulling down walls £26 ss, and payment from Government for expense at Sunnvside Asylum fire £BO I9s. The expenditure 'totalled £2894 2s lOd. There was a credit balance of £691 6s Sd.

The report was adopted. The Plant and Staff Committee recommended that the Board should bear tho expense of placing a red pane of glass in the street lamps opposite the premises where residents bad offered the uso of telephones for alarm purposes. Tho committee reported that the superintendent had been instructed to lay down connections with Ostler's well in Ccshel Street. The Board was recommended to authorise the purchase of three more horses. The committee recmested the Board to erect five more reel boxes at Lincoln Road, Beckenham, Ferry Road near "Wilson's Road, Church Square. Addington, and a place to be decided on later. The committee had accepted the tender of Mesrs Tribe and Co for mnlnng uniform coats and trousers at £3 6s, and for grey denim overall trousers at 4s 6d. The report was adopted.