No Fire Loss In Borough Last Quarter

Northern Advocate, 25 August 1943, Page 4

No Fire Loss In Borough Last Quarter

There has been no loss through lire in the Whangarei Fire Board's area during the past quarter. This information was given by the superintendent (Mr. S. Fulljames) in his quarterly report to the board today. The services of the brigade were made available on two occasion as follows: On June 15, a fire was reported at No. 11 mess room, military headquarters, at the rear of the drill hall. The (ire was caused through an electric cooker being left connected. There was no damage. Fireman Commen<l ecl On June 25, as the result of an aeroplane crash in Vine Street, the fire engine with all necessary equipment was promptly on the scene, and, had a fire occurred, the brigade was in a position to deal with it. The superintendent congratulated Fireman L. Pinker for the prompt manner in which lie had acted in bringing lire engine to the scene of the crash. An alarm had not been sounded. and Fireman Pinker, who was employed in a warehouse in the centre of the town, acted on his own initiative. MnoKiiif at Interval Regarding the borough council's recent letter to the board alleging that smoking took place in theatres in Whangarei. the superintendent attached a copy of his reply to the council. This was to the effect that the only lime that smoking took place was during the interval in the programmes, and the managers and staff, in co-operation with the brigade ollicers, were doing till possible to slop the practice. The brigade was going along, quite satisfactorily and the plant was in good order, concluded the report. Funds Overspent The balance-sheet for the past financial year showed a debit of £4O as compared with a credit of £132 at the commencement of the year. "This fnci was responsible for a memo, attached to the balance-sheet from the controller and Auditor-General that the board had failed to comply with the requirements of section (i of the Local Bodies Finance Act, 1921-22, in that the liabilities at the end of the year were not covered by cash assets and outstanding revenue. The chairman (Mr. S. B. Macdonald) said the debit balance would soon rectify itself. The secretary said lie had explained to the Auditor-General that unexpected expenditure had taken place during the year. The chief items of income were amounts received as levy from the following: Government £75, Whangarei Borough Council £360. insurance companies £360. Expenditure showed: Salaries £.llO, wages £l2B, repairs £323, telephones £lO6, insurance £67 and interest £25. The balance-sheet was adopted. E.P.S. Offer The secretary of the E.P.S. organisation (Mr. C. P. Butler) wrote offering a quantity of material purchased by the E.P.S. to the board tor £l4O. “As you are aware E.P.S. does not now hold control over any emergency lire units, which has passed to the Whangarei Fire Board.” wrote the secretary. The articles include beds and bedding, life lines, shelter and pump, overalls, axes, bells and pouches, boots, etc., valued at £l6O. The board decided to take no action tor Ihe present.