FIRE BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 94, 21 March 1931, Page 7

FIRE BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Palmerston Nortlr Fire Board was held yesterday, the Mayor presiding. Also present were Messrs W. L. Fitzherbert, L. H. Collinson, Parton and McCartney. The superintendent, Mr W. H. Barnard, reported as follows on the wear’s operations: -—“The lathe and motor provided for in the estimates have been installed and are giving every satisfaction. No. 2 motor truck has been taken down and completely overhauled. On the advice of the chairman I let the downstairs portion of the old station at a rental of £2 per week. The total rent from same is £3 5s per week. I have had the roof of the old station inspected, and obtained an estimate for its complete repair, the price being approximately £72. I would recommend that repairs be effected, the cost to be provided by the rent received. I wish to recommend that an additional street fire alarm box be fixed at corner of Main and Andrew Young Streets. The cost will be £l2 f.0.b., Dunedin. I wish to again bring before your notice the. necessity of procuring an additional motor pumping outfit. I wish you to realise the position from my point of view. We are always working up to our limit, with no reserve in case of a serious outbreak of fire. No. 1 outfit has been in commission for over 18 years and is still giving satisfaction, but in the event of a breakdown it may be impossible to procure spare parts on account of it being an old model, and chain driven. I. wish to report that since the artesian supply has been pumped into the mains there has been slight improvement. The 1000 ft. 2iin. hose provided for in the

estimates arrived and was placed on commission. At the request of Mr Hugo, and on the advice of the chairman, I forwarded 700 ft. of hose to Na-. pier, on loan, on acoount of the Napier brigade having hose destroyed by fire at the time of the earthquake. The plant generally is in good order. The attendance of firemen at drills and fires has been satisfactory. The present strength of the brigade in all ranks is 25. I desire to tender my thanks to the board for their kind consideration given to all matters for the welfare of the brigade. Officers and firemen have worked harmoniously in carrying out their various duties, which I trust have been to the satisfaction of the board. I wish to thank local police and the newly-formed fire police for their valued assistance at fires.” The report was adopted. The board discussed the question of procuring an additional pumping outfit, but the matter was held in abeyance. Tt was decided to vote £lO to the fire police. Mr W. Newlands was appointed secretary to the board. Accounts totalling £340 18s were passed for payment. Referring to the loan by the board of a quantity of hose for use in Napier in connection with the fires following the earthquake, the Minister of Internal Affairs wrote as follows: —“I desire to express my appreciation of the courtesy and promptitude with which you met the request, and feel sure that your action was highly appreciated by all concerned.” In view of the retirement of Captain Hugo, chief inspector of fire brigades, the board passed a motion of appreciation of his services.