ROTORUA FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17254, 2 September 1919, Page 5

ROTORUA FIRE BRIGADE.

REPORT OF COMMISSION.

THE ENGINE'S AILMENTS.

MANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS. Cbt TELEGRAPH. ownXcoreespondent.] ROTORUA, .Monday. The report issued by Mr. W. G. &. Kenrick, S.M., as the result of the commission of inquiry into the Rotorlia, Fire -Brigade, states that the present brigade has greatly improved and may be considered competent. The present superintendent is a good man, but ia too inexperienced. The fire motor engine was purchased second-hand. When bought it had several minor defects and one or two important ones. Subsequent repairs made it as reliable as a second-hand engine could be, subject to one or two improvements. Some means of ensuring the engine starting without delay were needed. The engine should be thwioughly inspected by an independent expert at stated intervals. The general equipment of the brigade was fairly good. * The resignations of the senior members of the brigade were due to the failure of the engine to reach a certain fire til! towed there owing to defects, and the ridicule to which the. brigade was consequently subjected to. the officers considering that the board shouldered fhe blame on them, for the failure of the engine. ; The evidence proved that the late brigade was competent. Superintendent Bennett and his officers were keen and capable. Thev had a just cause of complaint regarding the unsatisfactory condition of the engine, for which the board was not altogether to blame. The board could not be blamed for deciding to purchase a second-hand motor in preference to a new one from England, as the war had just commenced and it would have had to takea chance as to delivery later. The board was misled by the report in 1914 on the condition of the motor-car before the purchase, stating that it ws; admirably suited for the proposed wo-'; and had had very little wear and tear. Otherwise, it would have had a thorough examination and overhaul made sooner. This was not made till January. 1919, after tin* breakdown at the fire. The examination might have been made much earlier had Mr. Bennett referred to the defects from time to time in his written reports instead of reporting-some verbally to members of the board. The fire-prevention service generally could not be deemed satisfactory, but- was equal to and in some respects better than the previous year. The water pressure, though somewhat improved, wa* less than that required. Means of calling the brigade at night were bad. An all-night telephone service was urgently- needed- A superintendent with a long..practical experience was required. A well should be made at the fire station to' enable defects in the engine to be examined. and repaired from below. If the engine, still proved unreliable the only remedy was to purchase one specially built for fire purposes. I After Mr. Bennett's lengthy service.it was regrettable that a letter of appreciation was not given him on . his resignation.

There, were-'a number of misunderstandings between the board and the brigade, and the resignation might have been avoided had these been carefully handled. The evidence of some witnesses - allowed a strong desire that the ratepayers should elect the members representing the local body on the hoard (at present these are appointed by the Government).