TE AWAMUTU NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18018, 17 February 1922, Page 8

TE AWAMUTU NEWS.

THE FIRE BRIGADE.

[bt telegraph.—own correspondent.] TE AWAMUTU. Thursday. At a meeting of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce a desire was expressed to improve the status of the fire brigade. A review of the past showed that the Borough Council had had to bear the whole cost of the fire-fighting services, and that, besides refusing financial assistance in-the form of contribution, the underwriters had kept the premium rates at the level obtaining before water service or brigade were available. It was decided to ask the Borough Council to approach the underwriters and secure either direct contribution or roductjon of premium rates, upon receipt of which the town will set about the improvement of the services. The Minister for Internal Affairs wrote in reply to the suggestion that a rebate be allowed to encourage the prompt payment of rates that both the municipal and counties' conferences had urged, instead of rebates, higher penalties against defaulters. The matter would be investigated during the recess, In reference to rates, speakers urged that the law should be amended to simplify the procedure and minimise the cost of obtaining judgment for rates not paid within two years. A simple form of admission was advocated to do away with "ostly Court fees. It was thought, however, that greater leniency would encourage default, leaving the rates to accumulate year by year until they became a burden on the mortgagee or ultimate dwner. An alarm o( fire was given just before midnight on Wednesday. The cause wss a minor outbreak in an office occupied by Mr. Stanley Orbell, civil engineer, on [he ton floor nf Redoubt Buildings, owned by Mews. Collins and Downes, Fortunately the nigbl was calm, and the fire was cheeked b-jforc much damage had been Hone. A quantity of stationery in one part of the room'was binned,'and the match lining was burned thronph in places. Water flowed to the offices of Messrs. Collins and solicitors below, but the damage from this cause was not great