OAMARU FIRE BOARD.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13664, 5 September 1916, Page 1

OAMARU FIRE BOARD.

QUARTERLY MEETING,

The quarterly meeting of the Oamani Fire Board was held yesterday. The chairman (Mr A. M. Forrester)'presided and there were also present: Messrs' A. Frasciy T. Chalmer, J. S. Webb, J. S. Hislop, and the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade,

Accounts amounting to £121! lb's 7d Vero passed for payment. The Under-Secretary for the Department of Internal Affairs wrote intimating the Minister's approval of the Board's cstimatds for the current year's expenditure. Superintendent's Report: The Superintendent, of the Fire Brigade reported as follows:

"I have to report for quarter ending August 31st, that Brigade duties have been carried on by the members in their usual efficient manner.

"Messrs. J. Mitchell, T.Blair, and J, Crowley have been enrolled as firemen during the absence of Branehman A. Ross, Firemen T. Harvey ami W, O'Donnell (Nineteenth Reinforcements) doing their duty for King and country.

"■We have had two minor fires during the quarter viz., June Kith-Mr W. Sumpter's loss of motor car, no water being available in the vicinity of Mr Sumpter's residence, Mcintosh Bros, Thames street, chimney (ire, Chimuev fires are becoming very prevalent of late and I am of opinion that some action should be taken Yo stop this. "I would draw the Board's attention to the fact that there has been nothing doue re tire escapes for the various boarding houses in the borough, Also that there has been nothing done re marknig of discs for the street hydrants in Thames street.

"I would also draw the attention of the Board-to the dangerous practice of various companies using Urn Opera House, in placing seats and other obstructions in the way of the fire exits, so that in case 'of a'fire there would be a serious loss of life as these exits could not be used. The firemen on duty have no power at present to slop this as there are no by-laws by which the lessees of the Opera House arc governed, as is the case in other centres."

If win, divided to send « copy of that part of (lie report referring to (lie question of chimney tires to the Oainnru Borough Council, with a tint the Sergeant of Police shonlil lie asked to take action against offenders iinder tlie borough by-laws,

Jl was also derided to write to the Borough Council on the i|iie.st.ioii of jliu luck of provision of lire escapes ;il boarding iiouses within the borough. The question of the marking of tlie position of lire hydrants in Thames street mis also discussed and it wax decided li) urge the importance of the matter on I lie local authorities.

The Board discussed Ihe question of the overcrowding of the Opera House and the practice of lessees of obstructing the exits. The Superintendent of the brigade was instructed lit exercise his powers under the AH, and it was also decided to write to tlie Borough Council askiujj that the attention of lessees of the building be called to Ihe clause of the Act dealing with such practices. (

The appointment of Messrs J. Mitchell; J, Crowley, ml T, Blair, to the brigade was approved by the Board, The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted as printed,