Building Programme for City Fire Station

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 277, 23 November 1945, Page 4

Building Programme for City Fire Station

R.S.A. QUESTIONS RECENT STAFF APPOINTMENT The Palmerston North Fire Board at a meeting held yesterday decided to proceed with the preliminary formalities for the raising of a loan to cover the costs of a building programme designed to provide urgently needed additional accommodation for married members of the staff. The chairman (Mr. V. M. Edgar) presided over Messrs L. A. Hutton, D. F. Smillie, E. J. Lewin, the secretary (Mr. C. V. Day) and the superintendent (Mr. N. G. Buick). Plans considered by the board provide for two buildings in reinforced concrete incorporating three housing units, at a total cost of £9600, and the construction of a two-storey house for the superintendent at a cost of £2600. It was explained that the board had an option on a section of land adjacent the fire station. The dwelling on this section was a condemned unit, and the cost to the board would be £BOO, making a total cost for the superintendent’s house of £3400.

Plans were also considered for converting the existing living quarters of the superintendent into an engine house, with a two-bedroom flat upstairs.

Present at the meeting when these plans were under discussion were Mr. R. Girling Butcher, Inspector of Fire Brigades, and Mr. H. E. Brown, of the Fire Service Division of the Internal Affairs Department. Mr. Butcher remarked that the additional quarters for married members of the brigade were fully justified. The board had purchased the land for just such an exigency, and was in an' enviable position to proceed with a much-needed programme of expansion. Letter from R.S.A. A letter was received from the Palmerston North Returned Services’ Association requesting information regarding the recent appointment of a deputysuperintendent to the fire brigade. The letter stated the association understood that a nou-rcturued serviceman had been appointed to the position when a returned serviceman with the necessary qualifications had applied and was available for appointment. The incident referred to was one in which the brigade’s fourth officer, Mr. G. N. Edgar, who had not seen overseas’ service, was appointed deputysuperintendent. The brigade’s third officer, Mr. W. J. McSweeney, who had been overseas on active service, was an unsuccessful candidate for the office.

“I think that wo can best reply to this letter by stating that the board in its wisdom appointed the man best suited for the position, ’ ’ remarked the chairman. “Although Mr. Edgar was not a returned man, lie was held back under the discretionary powers of the Government. Fire brigades wore de-

clared essential undertakings and Mr. Edgar could not go away." The secretary; When the threat of Japanese invasion came we were instructed to appeal for all members of the brigade. Mr. -Lewin: Wouldn’t that apply to Mr. McSweeney? The chairman: These regulations were not in force when Mr. McSweeney went away. Mr. Lewin: That seems to mo to be begging the question. Could not Mr. Edgar have gone before the regulations were introduced?

Mr. Hutton: Mr. McSweeney was a single man and he went at a time when most single men were volunteering. When the chairman moved that a reply should be sent to the R.S.A. in accordance with his earlier remarks, Mr. Lewin said he would agree provided it was made clear the decision was a majority on a Mr. Smillie: That has already been stressed. When his suggestion proved unacceptable, Mr. Lewin moved his suggestion as an amendment to the motion, but it lapsed for the want of a seconder and the chairman’s original motion was carried. Returned Serviceman Appointed. The board later considered applications for the vacant position of station officer (fourth officer). A total of 13 applications was received, and two of these showed that the applicants had had four years overseas’ service with the 2nd N.Z.E.F. After hearing certain recommendations by the superintendent, the board decided to .appoint Mr. O. Poppleton, of Wellington, for a probationary period of three months. Mr. Poppleton’s application indicated that lie had had four years overseas' service, and the superintendent mentioned that the applicant had spent a considerable period in prisoner-of-war camps. National Savings. The figures for National Savings for the city on Thursday, November 22, 1945, were £165 15s. Citizen’s Lunch Club. Mr. E. C. Simpson, of Wellington, is the speaker at the Citizen’s Lunch Club meeting today. His subject is “The Position of the Artist in Society. 9 ’ Veterans’ Vase.

Northern challenged Manawatu in the Hodder Vase Competition yesterday. The Manawatu team, consisting of Coup, Thompson, Blake and Greening (s) 29 defeated the Northern team, Finch, A. Mills, Cameron, P. Smith (s) 19. Manawatu are still the holders of the trophy.

Hokowhitu Transit Camp. With two families already in occupation of units at the City Council’s transit camp at Hokowhitu, a further eight families have been notified that accommodation is ready for them. A caretaker, who is a returned soldier of World War 11, has been appointed for the camp with the right to conduct a canteen. The rent for the housing units is 22/6 a week, which includes 1 lie hot water service. Each unit is individually metered for lighting and cooking requirements.