URBAN FIRE CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21251, 3 August 1932, Page 12

URBAN FIRE CONTROL

PROPOSED NEW BOARD MOUNT EDEN'S POSITION BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION Tlio desirability of Mount Eden supporting tlio proposed formation of an Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board was questioned at a meeting of the Borough Council last evening. Mr. 11. J-. Mills, a member of the new Mount Edoti Firo Board, said while ho was not opposed to n. metropolitan

board, (ho .allocation of costs and other factors in the scheme did not appear favourable to Mount Eden ratepayers. The policy of estimating tho charges of the board on the capital value of property was not advisnblo, and the insurance value would bo a better basis to work on in computing tho costs. Another matter which did not seem fair was that the city was to have two members on tho board and tho combined suburban districts only one. Again, Mount Eden's station and modern plant were worth £7OOO and there was 110 guarantee that tho metropolitan board, if established, would take them over. Mount Eden did not want to lose its station, and if the borough joined tho metropolitan board there should bo a definite understanding that the building would bo purchased. At present Mount Eden had a very efficient brigade and the hydrants and other material wero similar to those of tho city brigade, thus enabling co-opera-tion. It had also to bo remembered that in Mount Eden thero were no large gum and wool stores and other big commercial btiildings, such as existed in the city and, consequently, thero were no extensive fires. A recent fire in tho city resulted in many thousands of pounds' damage, but in Mount Eden the total loss from fire during the past two years was only £6240. The Mayor, Mr. T. McNab, said he had interviewed Mrf 11. Girling Butcher, inspector of fire brigades, who had given him to understand that in the event of a metropolitan board coming into operation it would take over the borough's station. Mr. J. J. Mulvihill said he was not in favour of amalgamation with tho proposed board if such a course was going to result in additional expenditure to Mount Eden ratepayers. It was decided to consider the matter further at a meeting of the council this afternoon. M r - Girling Butcher will bo present.