Permanent Fireman At Whangarei Station

Northern Advocate, 25 August 1943, Page 4

Permanent Fireman At Whangarei Station

A decision to appoint a day station officer for the Whangarei Fire Brigade was made at today's meeting of the Whangarei Fire Board. This was the outcome of correspondence between the Dominion Fire Controller and the board, extending over several months.

In a letter the Controller ( Mr. R. Girling Eutcher) stated he had noted in an “Advocate" report of April last that the chairman of the board, in reply to criticism, stated it was necessary to appoint four permanent men to undertake duty on the station. This does net appear to be in accordance with the board's estimates which made no provision for any permanent staff, the only indication of increased expenditure in this direction being an increase of from £l3O to £235 in the wage cost, wrote the Controller. Continuing, he said that during his recent visit to Whangarei, in company with the District Fire Controller (Mr. W. L. Wilson), he discussed with the brigade officers the position then existing, under which the E.P.S. was paying the cost of three permanent men during the emergency period. The indication then given by the beard chairman was to the effect that the board did not consider permanent staff justified. The superintendent advised him that he had recommended that provision be made for at least one man to be on the station at all times sc that there would be no delay in sending the machine to a fife, particularly in the case of daytime calls. He discussed with the superintendent the conditions existing at Rotorua and Oamaru. under which one permanent man was employed and was responsible for taking the machine to the fire. Arrangement at Rotorua Writing later to the chairman of the hoard, the controller said the present station did not lend itself to the housing of any number of permanent staff and he suggested an arrangement similar to that in Rotorua, with one permanent man employed who was responsible for maintenance of the station and driving the appliance to the fire. For evening duty and at the week-end he was relieved by two members of the volunteer brigade. The secretary of the union had indicated that he could see no objection to a similar arrangement being made at Whangarei. provided that the appointee was a member of the union and otherwise complied with the terms of the award. The Whangarei Borough Council wrote protesting against the appointment of tour permanent, men. Could Not Face Expense The chairman said he had given the matter full consideration and he had stated that, ii' the requirements of the controller were to be carried out it would be necessary to have four men on the station. The board could not allow the expense of four permanent men, and he had never suggested that such a number would be appointed, said the chairman. The board could satisfy the controller by putting on one daytime fireman, and the superintendent would be able to suggest in what manner they could afford relief. The appointee must have every fifth day off, according to the award. Later in the meeting Ihe board went into committee to consider making an appointment, after passing a resolution confirming the necessity for such action. On resuming, the board resolved, on the motion of Mr. J. S. Woolley, seconded by Mr. R. V. Thompson, that Mr G. Kyles be appointed at a wage of £6 per week with the right to the use of one room at the station.