WHANGAREI FIRE BOARD.

Northern Advocate, 27 June 1924, Page 3

WHANGAREI FIRE BOARD.

} ANNUAL MEETING. IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. The annual mooting of the Whangarei Fire Board washeld at the Fire Brigade Station at 10 a.m. yesterday; present — Messrs J. S. Dent, chairman, A. D. I Jack, H. C. Rishworth, A. D. Cook, G. Nevill and T. A. Blair, also Messrs C. H. Chissell, superintendent, and C. .T. Eccles, secretary. CHAIRMANSHIP. It being the annual meeting, the secretary called for nominations for the position of chairman for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr A. D. Cook, seconded by Mr A. D. Jack, Mr J. S. Dent was unanimously re-elected. SOUND OF THE BELL. Mr R. T. Kessell -,vrote stating that since the firebell had been removed to its new position it was very difficult to hear the bell in the lower portion of the town. The writer advocated certain improvements which included /the removal of the hood on the bell tower. The Board resolved that no action be taken in the matter. CIVILIAN CLOTHES DAMAGE?" The Waihi Fire Board asked what practice was adopted by the Whangarei Board regarding compensation to brigadesmen for damage to civilian clothes whilst attending to fire duty. The Board decided that Waihi be informed that a case of this description had not yet occurred locally, but presumed that if a request in the direction indicated were made it would be treated on its merits. A practice was made of carrying a few spare old coat* on the reel which were used by firemo:' who had not time to effect a change. ROOF REPAIRS. Mr C. A. Kemp forwarded the sum of £M towards the cost of tarring and sanding the roof of the fire station. The Board resolved to accept the amount. DUTY FEES. The town clerk, Whangarei. forwarded the Council's cheque for quarterly dues and also the sum of 14s, firemen's duty fees collected from users of the Town Hall. The communication was received.

Arising out of the last communication, it appeared that there was a certain amount of duty fees still due from persons who had the use of the Town Hall from the lessee. The Board decided that, the brigade secretary apply to the lessee for the. amounts and failing a satisfactory reply, that the matter be brought before the Board again ;;L its next meeting. It was also decided that in future the bridage's secretary be responsible for the collection of all duty fees. INSURANCE. The chairman's action in renewing the Board's accident insurance policy for a further term of one year was endorsed. The Auckland Fire Underwriters' Association submitted a request to be supplied with; a. map showing the boundaries of the district under the jurisdiction of the Board. Mr' A. D.- Jack explained that some new maps of the borough were in course of preparation which would show the new borough boundaries. The matter was held over pending the completion of the new maps. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The superintendent submitted., ~the following annual r t report: —"I; am pleased to say that although there has been five calls and one false alarm, the loss from fires was not very serious. The biggest loss was that of Mr .T. W. Parkin's tannery in lower Cameron Street, the total value of property destroyed during the year ending June, 1924, being £29.10, the amount of £1100 being the value of a dwelling and contents situated in Portland Road on the other side of the river where there are no water* mains. "The fires which occured during the past 12 months are as follows:—February 2f>: E. McDonald, Mill Road, dwelling, small damage. March 22: .T. W. Parkin, lower Cameron Street, tannery. April 12: L. R. Collings, Percy Street, dwelling. May 3: A. H. R. Hunt: - Portland Road, dwelling. May .10: Motor-car burjit on Otaika Road. ! u view of the fire in lower Cameron Str et requiring 1000 ft of rose for the first lead, which was totally inadequate to (ope with this fire, and in Portland Road, where no water nrdns were available, the looses would be almost nil. "Public Buildings.—l have inspected all "-hose licensed and found them satisfactory with regard to exit-;, etc. "The brigade is giving --very satisfadicn and going on verv smoothly, the full strength of 20 being still maintained. "The plant is in good /u-dor. "The uniforms ordered :<ome time ago w.me to lian 1 on May 28. The helmets are yet to follow also three pair.; of swivel lug couplings ' i Leaky Roof. —I have to report that during the last heavy rains the bathroom and lavatory at the station were flooded again, the water simply poured in through the ceiling. "Re concrete over footpath would suggest that when the com-rcte watertab'e is being put in that portion of the pathway from the doors to the kerbing be concrr.red. This could then be uscn as a wash-down place for the motor. As things are at present, after the motor has been washed down a

I considerable amount of mud is taken int i the station by the motor on rej placement." SPECIAL REPORT. The superintend -r t also tabled the following special report dealing with the deficiency of water main a and fireplugs:— "As requested by your Board I have looked up and found the following streets that require water mains and fire-plugs, reverting to your immediate request re plugs 'n the inner area — Lower Cameron Street beyond the Setlers' Hotel, Albert Stree", Robert. Street, James Street, Victoria Quay, and Cafler's Avenue have no water mains. These streets mentioned should I all be reticulated with water mains for I fire prevention purposes. Following on i my inquiries I find the following list of streets with only -Jin service, or no I wat';r mains of any description—First Avenue (both ends), Sea View Avenue, Pentland Rood, Third Avemie (both j ends), Aubrey Street, Donald Street, ! Drummcnd Street, Apiran;., Avenue, Parabalti Street, Mair Avenue, School Lane, Russell J-'oad, High School right-of-way, Kent Road, Ormga Road, Powhiii Avenue, Henry Str-'et, Park Avonue, Main's Avenue, Cairnfield Road, Otangarei Road, Zealand! a Street, KeyJe Street, Stanley Street, Burnett's Hili, Porowhini Avenue, Cooke Street, North's Eoad, Otaika Road, Te Mai Road, Mornin'gside Road, Anzac Avenue and the top end of Maunu Read. In Porowhini Avenue the pressure is so bad it would be useless for fire purposes. There must be a block in the main. Extra plucjs should <->jso be in. In Otangarei Road there is a distance of about one mile o' ? 4in main from the Tin. This is no uf-e for fire purposes. The pressure is en + ;rclv destroyed in pipe friction in such a long strotch of small main. Do'ip.ld Street main should be extended to Neil Street to bo of any use."

The chairman -aid that a, copy of the special report should be handed to the Bo i'ough Council. It. was a very important "eport "iu! should be nut. on reco-d. Mr Tiislnvorth said the accompanying letter .should draw ,jariii;ular attention to the necessity of the plugs required and request attention to the most important items. A resolution t) this effect was carried. Regarding the leak? in the bathroom and lavatory members expressed the opinion thiat the Avail on the eastern side of the building was porous in heavy rains. Mr Cook stated that there wan now a watertight paint on the market which seemed to be a success, and the speaker promised to report on its efficiency. It was resolved that if Mr Cook's report was favourable the eastern wall be £,-iven ;i coat of the mixta - e. The provision of a concrete washdown r.nd crossing at the lire station at an estimated cost of £14 2s: 6d was authorised. Tl.c local members of the Board— Messrs Dent, .Tack and Fishworth— we '0 appointed a finance committee. The superintendent asked, for and was given authority to put on suitable men as auxiliaries owing to the recent depletion of single men at the station through joining the ranks of the Benedict.-. Accounts totalling £83 7s 4d were passed for payment.