RECENT AUCKLAND FIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 27 October 1941, Page 4

RECENT AUCKLAND FIRE

INQUIRY TO BE HELD COMMISSION SET UP Wellington, Oct. 25. To investigate the fire which recently destroyed the premises of John Burns and Co., Ltd.. Auckland, Mr Hunt. S.M., has been appointed a Commission of Inquiry. Announcing this on Saturday, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, said that with the concurrence of the Minister of Justice. Mr Mason, Mr Hunt would be available to undertake the inquiry almost immediately. The commission is to investigate the following points: The cause and origin •of the fire; the effectiveness of the action taken by the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade to combat the fire; the efficiency and adequacy of the existing plant and equipment of the brigade for fire-fighting purposes generally; the efficiency or otherwise of the organisation and training of the brigade; the adequacy of the water supply available in the Auckland metropolitan fire district for fire-fighting; the desirabality or otherwise of closer supervision and control being exercised over the location of electrical equipment and the installation thereof in building bylaws in operation in the Auckland metropolitan fire district in regard to the fireproofing of lift wells and other vertical openings, the protection of exposures of buildings from fire and related problems: the desirability or otherwise of applying to existing buildings the present bylaws or any bylaws subsequently made providing for adequate means of egress from buildings in case of fire; the desirability or otherwise of occupiers of business premises instructing their staffs in the elementary principles of fire protection, and the holding of fire fighting or fire escape drills; the application of any defects in the general efficiency, equipment. organisation or system of training of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade to the fire service in New Zealand generally insofar as it shall be apparent to the commission; and any other matters which the commission is of opinion should properly be the subject of inquiry in relation to the fire or the public criticism arising from —P A