PALMERSTON FIRE BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8837, 31 March 1909, Page 6

PALMERSTON FIRE BOARD.

. The Palmereton, North Fire Board held their statutory: meeting: yesterday..' There were present:-—Messrs R. Essex (chairman), J. J. Mallard, R. M:. Simpson, C.A. Ewen, E.'-J. Armstrong, H. Haydon, and A. Turner.

CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was received:— . . • Froni the Du'nedin Fire Board, forwarding a resolution to the effect that the Minister be asked to provide for an enquiry being held into every fire that occurs.—The Board has written to the Minister with regard to the iriSattterof holding enquiries. \ From the Palmerston Fire Police and Salvage Corps asking to be paid on the same scale as the firemen.— The Board passed a resolution regretting that it could not accede to tho request. From the Fire Brigade asking the Board to pay for firemen's long-service medals and bars.—Request acceded to.

Supt. Warner reported that from January 26 to date there had been nine calls, of which one was false. The following statistics were given:—Estimated loss of property not insured, £415; estimated loss covered by insurances, £3272; insurance on property in which fires occurred, _ £6725; estimated value of property in which fires occurred, £10,380; approximate fire loss in the borough from January 26, £3687; making an approximate fire loss from January 1 of £4042. _ The report states that the Brigade is at full strength, 25 members, and that' the Fire Police have been reduced by one, leaving a complement of 39 officers and men all told. The discipline of the Brigade is improving and the attendance at fires and practices has been very satisfactory. The present business premises in Palmerston are of large cubical capacity, and are built of wood with no brick dividing walls,' and with buildings of this description the fire risks are mn9.11 greater, and with 110 system of fire alarms much valuable time is lost in running to the station to turn on the bell. What is recommended is that seeing the large area taken in with the Palmerston North fire district the Board, when drawing tip the estimates for 19091910. consider the advisability of having eight fire alarm call points at an approximate cost of £210. GENERAL. It was resolved :— That a meeting be called about the middle of May to consider the qitestion of a loan for the new fire station. That a typed copy of the Superintendent's report be supplied to every member of the Board. That two more ladders for the Fire Brigade be procured at a cost of £4. That the question of by-laws be left to the local members of the Board to deal with. That a sum of 30s be voted as an allowance to H. Rivers, who acted as substitute fireman on March 11th, as the insurance policy did not cover the loss for injuries received while in the execution of his duty. That the water pressure gauge be taken in direct' by an inch pipe from the street instead of being connected with the half-inch station supply as a present. Accounts totalling £115 ss, 2d were passed for payment.