Feilding Fire Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 297, 16 December 1939, Page 3

Feilding Fire Board

QUARTERLY MEETING HELD The quarterly meeting of the Feilding Fire Board was held yesterday, Mr. W. E. Carthew (chairman) presiding. There were also present Messrs V. E. Smith, A. C. McCorkindalc, C. A. Hutton, Y. M. Edgar, C. H. Tate (secretary) and ' O. C. Sporlc (superintendent). The question of obtaining a supply of instantaneous couplings was referred to by the chairman who stated that since the last meeting the original quotation had been advanced by £8 with the treat of still higher prices and the local executive had agreed to defer action. Mr. Hutton questioned whether the agents had power to advance the prices without the sanction of the Price Fixation tribunal. Mr. Tate said the agents had intimated that owing to the outbreak of war, shortage of materials and difficulty of getting supplies, no firm price could bo quoted. It was eventually agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the Underwriters representatives (Messrs Edgar and llutton) to endeavour to purchase tlio couplings at £74 7s, the last quoted price. Discussing the question of the inadequacy of the lire fighting provisions at the Feilding Agricultural High School, the chairman said that an estimate bad been prepared of the cost of extending the water main to the school and into the school grounds and it was considered that this would cost about £4OO. Mr. Tate said that the first step would be to extend the North Street main to the school property, a distance of just under 5 chains. This would be the job for the Gorough Council. It was then proposed to take the main on to the school property and provide complete reticulation and this would involve an extension of the main for about 13 chains. Mr. McCorkiudalc asked if the extension of the main into the school property could be obviated by extending the North Street main to Makino Road. It occurred to him that this might result in boosting the presure along the Makino end of town and at the same time give a good pressure at the school. While agreeing that such an extension of the main would assist the pressure it would remove the problem to providing the school with efficient fire lighting plant. The chairman said that to extend the main in North Street to the school would cost between £6O and £7O while to take it on to the school property to provide complete reticulation would cost an additional £3OO. Mr. Smith said that if this work were undertaken, the residents of Churcher Street would expect the Council to give them a water connection. They had sought this for years without any result and he felt that any extension of the North Street main would prompt a further request for attention to Churchcr Street. Mr. Edgar remarked that the biggest eost would be on the school to provide water for fire fighting and that would be a matter for the Board of Managers. Superintendent Sporle said that it was essential that the school was equipped with an adequate water supply and the matter was one of urgency. It was agreed to refer the whole question back to the Board of Managers of the school with a recommendation that it agree to the extension of the main on to the school property. The meeting agreed to call for estimates for the painting of the brigade station and residence in the next financial year. In his report the superitendent stated that the strength of the brigade was 16 men and two officers. Fireman J. Lamont had enlisted and it was recommended that he be granted six months leave. Mr. C. McColl had been accepted as an active member from October 1. The attendance and work of the brigade at all musters had been good. A good pressure of water had been maintained on all tests taken. Concluding, the superintendent, on behalf .of members and officers, extended the season’s greetings to tho Board. •