FIRE-FIGHTING SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 11

FIRE-FIGHTING SCHEME.

PROVISION FOR TAKAPUNA.

LOAN OF £2500 PROPOSED.

FIRST INSTALMENT PLANNED.-

An important step was :■ taken by the Takapuna Borough Council last evening toward the protection .of uhe borough from repetitions of the fires which have been so alarmingly frequent in the district, in the last few months. The Fire righting Committee, of which Mr. A. N. Wilkifl is chairman, brought up a report recommending that the ratepayers . be asked to sanction, .:• at the forthcoming poll on the question of raising loans for other requirements, an additional item of £2500 for the purchase of fire-fighting appliances, and the erection of an enginestation; also, that fire plugs be installed as wherever practicable, as soon as possible, pending the installation of new mains. As the borough is already in possession of about 200 ft. of hose, it was recommended that, this plant bo placed in a glass-fronted box at the Clifton Eoad shelter-shed, ,for use in case of need upon fires in Hauraki Road and Clifton Road where a 4in. main was laid down some years ago, and the necessary fire-plugs were provided. . . Under the guidance of Superintendent Wihon, of the Auckland Fire Brigade, tho .cnnmtten further recommended .lie pr.icrnng ot a first-aid pump, as being prefe-able to a chemical engine, on the principle that its initial supply of 30 gallons _of water could be continuously replenished while operating at a fire, by the efforts of a bucket brigade. The particular vehicle recommended for carrying the apparatus was a. motor-truck, which with all fittings, would cost about £650. It was mentioned that a similar encino was is use at the central fire station in Auckland .and that by its means over 99 per cent, of the outbreaks in the city were checked in their incipient stages. It is proposed that the engine-station to be provided in the first instance, shall bo in the Borough Council yard, and that a competent fireman shall be included in the municipal road sts-ff. After having discussed the matter in committee at considerable length tho council adopted the proposals. The proposed £2500 expenditure includes provision for an electric fire alarm system with 15 .callm* points, which will bo available for incorporation in the more extensive permanent fire-fighting scheme that will eventually be required