URBAN FIRE CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 10

URBAN FIRE CONTROL

PROPOSED AUCKLAND BOARD NO SUPPORT AT OTAHUHU The Otahuhu Borough Council decided last evening not to take any action in connection with the proposed Metropolitan Fire Board for Aijjjkland. The chairman of the Finance Committee, * Mr. J. Hunter, reported that the council had met the chief inspector of fire | brigades and after consideration of the proposals as affecting Otahuhu submitted the following resolution"—"That the council decide to adhere to the present system of a volunteer fire "brigade for Otahuhu and express its high appreciation of the fine efficiency and good services rendered by the volunteer firemen, and that, unless more information is available showing the advantages to Otahuhu in regard to the Fire Board scheme, the council continue with its present system." Mr. J. Trenwith, chairman of the Fire Committee, said it would be against the district's interests to be linked up with the Auckland Board. Several streets in the borough'were not reticulated and , this would present difficulties should there be outside control. In addition, the present brigade would resign en bloc were the proposal applied to Otahuhu. The resolution was carried. OPPOSITION AT ONEHUNGA POSSIBLE HIGHER COSTS Vigorous opposition to the inclusion of Onehunga under a Metropolitan Fire Board was expressed at a meeting of the Onehunga-Manukau Chambor of Commerce last evening. The Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. E. Mor- ! ton, stated that under unified control there was no guarantee that the cost of the service would not be increased so far as Onehunga was concerned and ho was opposed to sacrificing the borough's assets without definite assurance on this point being given. He failed to see where Onehunga would gain any benefit from a metropolitan scheme. Onehunga was perfectly satisfied with the efficiency , of its fire-fighting equipment. A resolution was carried supporting the Borough Council in its hostility to the scheme.