WATER TO FIGHT FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18896, 19 December 1924, Page 12

WATER TO FIGHT FIRE.

CENTRE OF CITY SAFE

SOME EXCEPTIONS NOTED.

Mr. .T. J. Kingston, chairman of the Auckland Fire Board, writes:—"lt might, lie inferred from tho leading article in Thursday's Herald that the congested business parts of the city are not well served by water. I wish to state that, in the opinion of tho superintendent, this is not so; ho is content with the supply in practically the whole of the big business blocks. One exception is Lome Street. On a map supplied by the council, most of this street is shown as having a 4in. main only. There are some big buildings in this street, and the main is not big enough for fire-fighting purposes. "Part of the Strand also has a 4in. main only. There is no main past the engine shed in King's Diive, where at times many valuable boats are at risk in their sheds. Alterations here are waiting developments. "In parts of Ponsonbv. mostly on the waterside, the standing pressure is not what the .superintendent would wish in the event of a fire having a good hold, and in one or two other places the standing pressure is poor. "This statement is made, to allay fears the citizens may have that the big buildings in congested parts of the business areas may be at the mercy of the fire fiend without adequate water."