FIRE PROTECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21274, 30 August 1932, Page 11

FIRE PROTECTION

METROrOLTTAN SCHEME

APPROVAL OF PRINCIPLE

local bodies* conference

AGREEMENT, ON MAIN FEATURES

He principle that a single metropolitan g r# board should bo created to take over tbe existing fire-fighting services in Auckland City and'the suburban districts on the Auckland Isthmus was approved yesterday at a conference of local bodies and fi re boards convened by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. A. Hamilton. , Provisional agreement, was also reached t,pon details of the project, such as the transfer of assets ami liabilities to the board, the allocation of yearly maintenance charges, the composition of the board and the representation of local bodies thereon. It was explained that legal provision for the scheme would have to be made by legislation next session, and the bodies concerned would have full opportunity to give evidence before a select committee which would report to Parliament upon the bill. Th o Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, presided in the absence of the Hon. A. Hamilton, who had been prevented by other business from coming to Auckland for the conference. There were alio 'present the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, Mr. Malcolpi Fraser, and the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Mr. R. Girling Butcher. The bodies represented wera the Auckland City Council, the Mount Eden, Jfount Albert, Newmarket, One Tree Hill and Onehunga Borough Councils, the Mount Boskill and Mount Wellington Road Boards,- the Auckland, Mount Eden, Newmarket, Mount Roskill and Onehunga Jlre Boards/ and the Auckland Fire Underwriters' Association. The Ellerslie Town Board and the Panmure Township Road Board were not represented. Bodies Not Committed

Mr. Young, in opening the conference, congratulated all concerned on having recognised that in local government there were too mriny bodies doing much the fame work. The deputy-mayor of Auckland, Mr. A. J. Entrican, stated that the scheme was being considered by the City Council's Finance Committee, which would not report until next Thursday evening. However, he believed he was correct in saying that the committee was favourable to it. • Mr. W. H. Nagle said that he had no power 'to bind the Mount Eden Borough Council to the scheme. The council had made no decision on the matter, but he belioved that it approved the principle of » single board. The Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. E. Morton, said that his council had expressed its opposition to the scheme, and particularly to some of the conditions proposed. j Mr. Young suggested that the conference should merely decide whether it approved the scheme in principle. Mr. Morton said his council had no objection to the principle, or to its adoption by the other bodies.

It was decided to approve the principle. The proposed conditions, as contained in t memorandum submitted by the Minisfar, were then considered seriatim. It was agreed that the metropolitan board should take over all assets and liabilities of the existing fire boards. ' Local Bodies' Brigades

With'respect' to local bodies at present controlling fire brigades, it -was agreed that the board should take over the existing fire stations, together with all loan liabilities incurred by the local bodies for fire-prevention purposes, and the land, buildings, plant and equipment purchased out, of such loans, subject to suitable arrangements in each case with regard to accrued sinking funds. Regarding land, buildings, /plant and equipment not purchased out of loan money, the Minister suggested a system of optional purchase after examination and valuation by an expert committee. Sir. Butcher stated that all the local bodies' brigades were up-to-date, and the stations were adequately situated. The only immediate requirement was a residential station at EUerslie, and the expense of this would not be great. The metropolitan board would not suffer loss by taking over these brigades. The fire boards were in a very satisfactory financial position. That of the Auckland Fire Board was very strong. Its assets amounted to £70,900, including nearly £4OOO in cash, and its liabilities were only £29,500, or less than those of all the outside bodies in respect of fire prevention!

The proposals relating to local bodies' brigades were agreed to. /City Versus Suburbs There was some difference of opinion on the Minister's ''proposal that the new board should consist of nine members, two to be elected by the City Council, two by the other contributory local bodies and four by the insurance companies, with one Government nominee. Mr. Entrican said that on capital value or improvements alone the city should have double tho representation of the outside bodies. He suggested a board of seven, with two city members, one suburthree insurance and one Government nominee. / Mr. J. ,T. Kingston, chairman of the 'Auckland Fire Board, said that his board favoured the proportions mentioned by Mr. Entrican. However, in the work of a fire board local districts and their boundaries were not in question. Mr. A. I. Johns, on behalf of the Fire Underwriters' Association, said that the insurance members of the board could not forget that they were citizens and ratepayers. There was no division between them and the other members. Several delegates urged the City Council fo take a generous view of the matter. The Minister's proposal was endorsed, Mr. Entrican stating that he had no authority for tho City Counil to agree to it. . It was agreed that the suburban members of the board should b c elected by the local authorities, each of the latter to have one vote for every complete £IOO,OOO of capital .value. , Levy on Capital Values Explaining (he Minister's proposal that the annual expenditure of the board should be shared between the insurance companies and the local bodies, the latter to pay in proportion to capital value, Mr. Brttclier stateO that inquiry showed capital value to be the fairest criterion. On the basis of the value of improvements only, fully-settled residential districts like Mount Eden would pay heavily, whereas the cost of fire protection there was relatively much less than in the central city .area, where expensive plant had to be 'maintained to fight fires in tall buildings. With regard to insured value, fhe only statistics were those of premium income. /and the indications were that on this basis also there would be a heavy burden on settled residential districts. _ An /amendment by Mr. Entrican in favour of improvements as a basis was lost, and the capital value basis was approved, with an addendum expressing the opinion that- the Government should make fi larger annual contribution in return for the protection of public buildings. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Kingston, .Mr. Fraser and Mr. Butcher for their efforts on behalf of the metropolitan scheme. s