Cost of Fighting Fires

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 100, 29 April 1941, Page 9

Cost of Fighting Fires

ESTIMATES FOR PALMERSTON NORTH The estimates of the Palmerston North Fire Board yesterday included an amount of £4.12 10s for the purchase Of bucket-pumps, etc., for emergency precautions—gear which, the Board would not normally have spent money on. According to information given by Mr. L. A. Hutton, the Dominion Fire Controller (Mr. L. Girling Butcher), a sum of £SU,UOU would bo required by the Dominion fur emergency precautions and of that amount, tho Fire Underwriters’ Association, hud promised a quarter, namely, £I2,OUU. Ire wondered if the £412 lUs proposed for Palmerston North, was in proportion, it’ it was too high, thou when the total of the estimates of the whole of the Fire Boards was known, each estimate would have to bo cut. Other members of tho Board thought the estimate of £50,000 for Now Zealand made last year, was now too low and would have to be increased. Mr. A. L. Mansford (chairman) revealed that Palmorston North city would be finding £1430 in all for emergency fire lighting in addition to £4480 as lire Board levy—a total of £5910. The insurance companies will be finding £4480. The Board’s estimates providing for £11,773 were approved. They are £OOO less than last year mid the Palmorstou North city levy shows a drop of £3O on last year. The Palmerston North City Council at its meeting last night decided to 'make representations to the Municipal ! Association along the lines that the Government should make the equipment for emergency precautions a charge on the national finances.