FIRE WASTAGE RECORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 14

FIRE WASTAGE RECORD.

"SCANDAL IN DOMINION."

INCREASE IN INCENDIARISM. THE OBJECT OF INQUIRIES. "New Zealand is becoming a very barren field for insurance business the wastage by fire in the Dominion lias reached enormous proportions," said Mr. V. J. Larner, chairman of directors of the South British Insurance Company, at the annual meeting of shareholders yesterday. 110 advocated magisterial inquiries into fires, apart merely from cases whore foui play was suspected. "Tho fire wasto lias attracted tho attention of both press and public hero and in olhci countries. Thi? manifestation of public concern is a healthy sign. After all, insurance is merely the means of distributing tho burden. Firo wasto is a national loss, and therefore tho concern of everyone. Both in 1926 and in 1027 the value of tho property destroyed by fire in Now Zealand and paid for by insurance companies was well above ono million sterling."

In both years houses hail figurod largely. Ono was forced to tho conclusion that there had been an increase in deliberate fire-raising. Incendiarism was difficult to prove, but wherever there was tho slightest evidence of it, it was imperative that an exhaustive investigation should bo made beforo a claim was admitted. It was a duty insuranco companies owed to the public no less than to themselves.

Chimneys and Electrical Faults. Of fires duo to carelessness, (lie exorcise of a vory little care would avoid many a loss Of purely accidental fires, a common cause too littlo suspected was tho defectivo chimney—generally duo to bad workmanship with inferior material Earth or clay used for mortar might involve, not merely tho destruction of tho house, but loss of lifo.

Another cause of fires was the electrical agent. Admittedly indispensable, electricity was one of the greatest boons of iv.odorn times and properly controlled was is safe as any other form 01 power or illuminant. "Improperly controlled, nothing Is more nsidious or ruthless in its capacity for destruction," declared Mr. Lamer. "Too littlo about its dangers is understood. The outward appearance of an installation look 3 so safe that tp very fow does it occur (o consider where danger may lurk How many take tho simple precaution habitually to put up their main switch either when no current is being used, or when shutting up their houso or place of business ? How many, seeing a lamp losing its brightness, reflect that tho explanation may bo, not that tho lamp is wearing out, but that thoro may bo a leakage on tho circuit 1 Inquiries Would Reduce Fires.

"If magisterial inquiries into the circumstances of fires wero held, useful information might be obtained as to their causes, thus leading to a reduction in tho number of outbreaks. Such inquiries, to be of any value, would, however, havo to be made in a spirit different from that in which they now arc approached. A suggestion of foul play should not be the only grounds for holding an inquiry. Unfortunately, unless this is tho case, little or«no interest is taken in tho proceedings. Coroners and tho polico should realise that tho main object of an inquiry is not to bring a suspected criminal to justice, but to endeavour to obtain information that will tend to reduce this wastage of national substance

''Excessive insurance is linked up with this subject. It is a difficulty with which insurance companies have constantly to contend. Although building values fall, it is often with the utmost difficulty that a reduction of cover can be obtained. Particularly is this the case whero properties are mortgaged. It would surprise you to know the pressure exerted, and the quarters whence it comes, to maintain an amount of insurance in excess of present value. No apology need be offered for dilating upon these points. 'lhe fact that New Zealand has earned a reputation for a fire wastage that amounts to a scandal, is the concern of every responsible citizen of tlio Dominion."

Pi ofessor A. P. W. Ilioinns. in supplementing the remarks of tho chairman of directors, said it was not often realised that electrical installations deteriorated like everything else, although slowly, and that they could bo tested for efficiency from time to timo. He suggested tho directors should consider tho matter of testing as a further precaution against outbreaks' of fire