OAMARU FIRE BOARD.

North Otago Times, 8 December 1910, Page 1

OAMARU FIRE BOARD.

The .quarterly nwoting of the Oamaru Fire Eoard was held yesterday in the Ediough Council Chambers. FH'Stnt-Messrs R. Milligan (chair■man), Mahan, F<-rrester„ Ohalmer, Webb, Sullivan, Superintendent. W. ■tomes, mi Mr B. Piper (secretary). The minutes of two previous* meetings were read and confirmed. Mr C. A. La Roche, secretary of the Oamaru Harbor Board, wrote stating that the Fire Board's letter in regard, to'the attendance of to Brigade at wharves had been • considered, and it was .decMe'd that no further action 'be taken.—Received. Mr C. W. Kent, Town Clerk, wrote stating) that the Borough Council had decided to 'abolish the "screwdown" fire plugs, and from time to time, as opportunity offered, to have all plugs paved round. The Council could not see its way to accept the Board's oiler to inspect all plugs for £2O per annum ; the Borough Engineer ha-1 been instructed to have all plugs regu!|arliy: inspected and rer ported on monthly.—Received.

•The Secretary of the Hastings Fire Board asked for a copy of the plans of the Oamaru Fire Station.—GranV

Mr H. Scanlon, gaoler, Dunedin Prison, wrote that he hd forwarded mat, 15ft by sft, as ordered.—lt was resolved that 'the mat tfe sunk in the concrete floor at the fire station, Superintendent' James wrote suggesting that a 'hydrant be put in Takaro Park, so that the Brigade could, practice there. His reason for making the request was that there 'would be/a considerable saving in the wear of hese, and it would be easier, lor the.men'througt/ mot' so hard to drag on the grass as on a metalled road.--Req!uest acceded to, the cost not to exceed £lO. Superintendent; James reported that the Borough Council toad comjnenced putting the street hydrants .in proper repair, and called attention to the fact that there were no hydrants

to Exe and Usk streets, between! Bumher and Thames streets, and suggested that application be made to tho Council to have hydrants placed iii those streets. A ikw 25ft ladder had i-een procured, and would be suitable for the work'of the Brigade. He applied for four sets of new hose couplings .(expansion'), alas two dozen rubber washers. The 500 ft of hose ordered had come. to.hand. The Brigade had turned -out to one fire during the past quarter, viz.,. December 4th, but very little 'damage had been .done. The attention of the Borough Council is to be drawn to the lack of hydrants in Exe and Usk streets, also to the smallness of the , pipes, in these streets.—The request for hose couplings and washers was accede-] to. . _ , The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote, with reference to the balancesheet, calling attention to the remark of the Auditor-General thereon in connection- with the expenditure, and inquiring whether the Board has any suggestion to offer with a view to meeting the objection made; by the Auditor-General regarding the expenditure in question. ." ",; , This letter referred to the payment of £i) for delegates' expenses to the Fire Brigades' Conference at Hastings, which was without authority of law, and was therefore disallowed. The secretary was ..instructed to replyi that as the object of the- con-' ference wan the dissemination of

! knowlehge;Jyith regard ito the- latest methods' of'fire extinction and fire brigade affairs, the Board was of opinion .tlratiho payment, as) tending to, s the efficiency of the brigade, was.justified; .:;■'■ ':',.: Accounts amounting to ,£52 2b 7d were passed for payment. ~■.; A lorig'discuesiorj"took place on fire alarms, and it was ultimately, decided that the jnatter of installing a fire' alarm;system k deferred in the meantime .pending further inquiries, Mr Chalmer said the, Dunedin members had paid a, visit of inspection to the fire) station, and found everything in,good order, thanks to the capaMe direction of Superintendent James. Sui-criritendfinb James was requested to the thanks and good wishes of' ; the Board to thei Brigade.