CITY FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 257, 27 September 1940, Page 8

CITY FIRE BRIGADE.

board meeting. LITTLE LOSS SHOWN. The Palmerston North Fire Board met to-day, there being present Mr A. E. Mansford (chairman), Mrs M. Siddeils and Messrs V. M. .Edgar and L. A. Hutton. The superintendent (Mr P. A. Milverton) reported that there had been 21 calls in the past quarter, made up ■pf four actual lires, live false alarms (all malicious), nine chimney fires, one rubbish fire and two motor-car fires. The fire in the sheep pens and salering at the Showgrounds on July 19 was the only serious outbreak. The insurance on this property was: Buildings, £2565; contents, £525; total, £3090. The value of the property was: Buildings, £5415; contents, £1000; total, £6415. Insurance loss: Buildings, £1080; contents £3B 17s; total £lllß 17s. Uninsured loss: Buildings, £80; contents,''£7 10s; total, £B7 lUs. The total loss was £1206 7s. In reply to the board’s representations made some time ago about prohibiting the packing of cars on one side of King Street so as to prevent traffic congestion, the City Council advised that it had decided to adopt measures in the street which it was thought would relieve congestion. Members of the board considered this satisfactory. Mr Milverton said that the brigade seldom used the street. It was decided to communicate with the Internal Affairs Department about the disposal of the old fire station, for which an offer was received Mr Edgar mentioned that the Government had enacted legislation dealing with better fire control, authorising a city or borough council to employ an inspector of building whether or not the council’s district was within the fire district, and giving an inspector of building adequate powers of en try to buildings for fire prevention j purposes. Mr Edgar mentioned the dangers which could occur, particular-1 ly in , buildings converted into flats,! through proper provision for fireplaces and heating and cooking apparatus not being made. Mrs Siddeils said that all persons subletting rooms should submit a written report to the City Council. Mr Edgar asked if the City Council was aware of the Statute and if it had made the necessary appointment. The Chairman replied in the affirmative, and Mr Edgar asked that \ his question be recorded in the min- , utes. The chairman, on behalf of the board, congratulated Mr C. V. Day, j secretary, on the manner in which he-! conducted the board’s appeal against, the decision of Mr Gilmour, S.M., de- | 'legate of the Court of Arbitration, in Ibis interpretation of the Wellington district (except Wellington city) fire brigade employees’ award. The appeal had been dismissed, and the chairman said the board would just have to abide by this decision. . j