WHANGAREI FIRE BOARD.

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1911, Page 3

WHANGAREI FIRE BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Whangarei Fire Board was held in the Council Chamber yesterday morning, when there were present: Messrs R. Thompson (Government nominee), H. Weave:' 1 , J. S. Dent, R. Harrison (Borough Council nominees), N. T. Williams, F. Evans, C. E. Palmer (insurance representatives), C. H. Chissell (superintendent), and C. J. Eccles (secretary).

Mr Thompson was elected chairman.

ANNUAL REPORT.

secretary read the Superintendannual report, the text of which Uvas as follows: — »~ I. }ep to submit my third annual I'eportV*your Board. It is most gratifying to state there has been no serious fires during the past 12 months. There has been four calls on thi Brigade's services. . FIRES. On July 15th, 1910, the alarm was given at 8.30 p.m., a small fire having started in one of the upstair bedrooms in Mr Hill's building situated in Cam-,eron-street and occupied by Mr Snape. Or. January 13th, 1911, some dry vegetation at the end of James-street being v.ell aflame, but was soon subdued. On February 15th, 1911, the dwelling of Mr R. Wallbank situated at Mairtown 'being totally destroyed. On June 14th, l'Jll- chimney fire at Dr Baxter's residence. OFFICIAL INSPECTION. Inspector Hugo paid an official visit of inspection of the Brigade on May 2.oth, when we received some useful information pertaining to the fire service. THE BRIGADE. I am pleased to say the Brigade are still very attentive to their duties and practices, and is up to the full strength, viz., 20 members. There has been 1 resignation during the year, Fireman Swain having left the district, and one appointment in his stead in the person of Mr Slatter. FIRE ESCAPES. As reported in my quarterly report of last December, I was appointed by the Borough Council in conjunction with your Board Fire Inspector and Inspector of Buildings. I have made a thorough inspection of all public tuildings, private boardinghouses, and hotels, and am pleased to state the necessary rope, wire rope ladders, and fire exits have been attended to, and are now in a very satisfactory state. I REMARKS. I

The fire at Mairtown is another instance which goes to show the tecessity for some improved system of giving the alarm; also the distance being so great from, the station, and tho men having to drag a reel with them goes to show the urgency of giving the alarm much quicker, as such valuable time is lost in the early stages of the lire which is so imperative to save both life and property, the first few m'nutes being so valuable. When Inspector Hugo was here on his last visit I asked him to kindly furnish me with the. Lest and simplest system of street fire j alarms. I have now enclosed with my re-port both letter and circular from the "Simplex" Street Fire Alarm Company for your perusal, and I truyt also for your Board's approval. ; The report, as read, was adopted. INADEQUATE METHOD CF FIREALARM.

The need of a more up-to-date system of fire-alarm was discussed by the Board upon hearing a letter read from the secretary of the "Simplex" Fire Alarm Company, of Christchurch. The letter set forth the utility and advantages of the system manufactured by the Company, and which had been installed and worked with success in several large centres of New Zealand. The basis of the system was the pu;h button and telephonic communication with the fire station. It was thought rather Itremature to seriously consider installing a plant.

On Mr Williams' motion it was resolved to send a map of the fire area in the Borough, and that an estimate of the approximate cost cf installatioi. h.' ascertained. SIGNALLING THE SCENE OF FIRE. In connection with the absolute necessity of expedition in getting to the scbiie cf a fire, Mr Evans detailed a system of fire alarm in vogue at ParnelL vherein the brigade could tell without hesitation where a fire was. The system was based on the method of signals with the big fire bell, in which different localities were signified by _: varied number of gongs. Mr Evans stated that a large placard diracting tin. public was placed at the centre fire bell, to that all in Parnell knew exactly the correct manner to ring the bell ri case oi an alarm. Mr Evans moved, and Mr Weaver seconded. "That the system be approved by the Fire Board, and that a board be placed on the centre fire bell indicating the various localities, aud signifying the number of gongs lo each."—Carried.

REQUISITES GRANTED. Mr Weaver moved: "That Fire Brigade requisites to' the cost of £28 15s ar detailed as essential apparatus by th.- Superintendent be obtained."— Carried. NOTICE OF MOTION. The notice of motion proposed by Air Andrews, a late member cf the Board, at the last meeting, was introduced by Mr Williams. The motion was: "That all members of the Board be paid 20s per day travelling expenses while working in the interests of the Board." Mr Evans, in seconding the motion, said that all the members i should equally benefit by the allowance and not the insurance representatives only. Mr Palmer opposed the motion, stating that as far as he was concerned, he was not a penny out of pocket by coining to Whangarei. Mr Weaver su; ported the resolution, stating that everyone was not so fortunate as the previous speaker. Mr Harrison gave his view rp.ainst the motion, stating tha 4 . the amount \yas excessive. - j Mr Dent agreed with Mr Harrison. The Act in :eference to the question was read by the chairman, and it was fcund that the Board was debarred from giving effect to the resolution. With his seconder's agreement, Mr v ViU'ims withdrew the motion. PLACE OF MEETING. J It was unanimously agreed that the place of meeting should be in Whan-1 garei in the future. EXTENSION OF LEASEHOLDA communication was received from the secretary of the Presbyterian Church Committee stating that the consideration of the request of the Board, who wished to acquire a lease of further space at the Fire Station had been deferred until nearinj_: the consummation of the present lease, which expired in fifteen menths' time. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Whangarei members of the Board were appointed the finance committee. ADDENDA. Expenses amounting to £26 15s 3d were passed for payment.

A lengthy discussion ensued upon the estimates, which were ultimately passed at £300, and the surplus from left year was £4S, bringing the amount up to £348.