FIRE BOARD AFFAIRS

Northern Advocate, 22 January 1936, Page 2

FIRE BOARD AFFAIRS

QUARTERLY MEETING TODAY The quarterly meeting of the Whangarei Fire Board took place today, Mr E. G. W. Tibbits presiding. Members firstly passed a vote of sympathy to Mr Newbold, a board member, on the loss of his mother. A letter was received from the Takapuna Borough Council regarding the Harbour Bridge proposal. It was decided to reply that the matter was no concern of the board’s.

The superintendent, Mr C. H. Chissell. reported that the tower at the fire station was not very safe and needed attention. It required to be examined and repaired. Arrangements for this were left in the hands of the local committee, with an expenditure restriction to £2O. Inspector’s Report.

A report iof having made an inspection of the board’s brigade, plant and eouipment on July 8, was received from Mr R. Girling Butcher, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The inspection drills, he said, showed that the brigade members were keen, enthusiastic and well trained. A series of test drills was carried out, and the brigade as a whole acquitted itself very satisfactorily. He was particularly pleased with the way mistakes made during work were corrected. The station and plant were found to be in excellent condition. During the day, a test of the water supply in the winter was made. This showed a satisfactory supply at all points except the extreme end of Kamo Road.

He recommended the purchase of a “Sal.vus” set, which he regarded as an ideal equipment. He was of opinion that every board should be equipped with a fire pump, but unless the summer water supply conditions showed a considerable variation from those determined during the inspection, it was not immediately necessary. The question should be considered when the board was contemplating acquiring a new machine.

Mr G. Nevill, as a result, moved that the matter of procuring canvas sheets be decided at the next meeting, when the estimates were being prepared.

Superintendent’s Report, The report of the superintendent, Mr C. H. Chissell, was adopted on the motion of Mr Nevill, seconded by Mr G. H. Morrish. The report stated there was nothing very serious over the four months, the number’ of calls being seven.

The brigade was called out as follows: —August 9, chimney fire at Mr Dyer’s, Deveron Road; August 25, fire at J. Maurer’s, jeweller, in Cameron Street, the damage to stock and building amounting to £179. (It was fortunate the fire was seen in its early stages, otherwise damage would have been considerable). October 22, savydust fire at lower end of Dent Street; October 30, false alarm; November 16, rubbish fire at rear of Club Billiard Room; December 4, fire damaged building in Bernard Street to the amount of £225 13/-; December 15, bush fire in Coronation Reserve. Plant in Good Order.

Referring to the plant, the superintendent said it was in good order, except that the brake drum broke on one occasion. The brigade, he said, was going along very satisfactorily. The deputy-superintendent had been away travelling New Zealand, when he had had personal interviews with superintendents of the larger brigades, who use smoke helmets. His report recommended the “Burrell,” and the superintendent had no hesitation in placing an order for two at £9 5/each.

This action was confirmed by the meeting.