COMBATING FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 10

COMBATING FIRE.

HAMILTON BRIGADE'S RECORD TRIBUTE TO EFFICIENCY. [from our own correspondent.] HAMILTON. Friday. In paying a tribute to tho efficiency of tho Hamilton Fire Brigade at a social function last evening, the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, said tho town was very fortunate in having such an efficient body of men at its service and such a highly-qualified superintendent as Mr. A. Craig, who was recognised throughout New Zealand as a leading authority on fire-fighting. Mr. Young said tho efficiency of tho Hamilton brigade was illustrated by statistics, which showed that in tlio fivo years ending in 197.0, tho average sum paid out in insurance claims per capita of the population of Hamilton was lis lid, which was the lowest in tho Auckland Province. In the North Island only one town, Wanganui, heat Hamilton's record, its loss averaging 10s 4d. Mr. Young added that during the five-year period he had mentioned tho firo loss per iicad of the population had declined from 15s lid in 1926 to 13s lid in 1930, while tho average for the fivo years was 16s 6d. Tho figures for the North Island showed a decrease from 17s 3d to 15s 6d, whilo in the South Island the rate had fallen by 2s 5d the average being 13s Od.