EMERGENCY PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22183, 9 August 1935, Page 13

EMERGENCY PLANS

EPIDEMIC POSSIBILITY ORGANISATION NEEDED PROPOSALS BY THE MAYOR "A VERY WISE PRECAUTION" The need for preparedness to deal in an organised way with such emergencies as an influenza epidemic or a serious earthquake was discussed by the City Council last night, upon a tentative proposal by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, tftfit machinery for the purpose should bo set up. In a report, the Mayor said: " For the past three months I have been giving attention to the collaboration and co-ordination of all information relative to tho safeguarding of the health of the city, in the event of a recrudescence of influenza, or an epidemic of a like character. From various sources facts and suggestions havo been collected, and these will bo codified as soon as possible so that they will be available for immediate use should the necessity unfortunately arise. " I propose to ask the council to agree to the Finance Committee (which is representative of all the committees and the departments of tho corporation) taking over tho facilities for the protection of, and all other matters appertaining to, the health of the city. Similaily, I Jiave had in draft form a scheme designed to provide an emergency organisation for operation in such an occurrence as an earthquake of serious proportions." Mr. E. J. Phelan said the Mayor's action was a very wise precaution. The influenza epidemic some years ago had found the city entirely unprepared and it was only right that there should be adequate safeguards for the future. Tho Mayor said ho did not wish to cause any public alarm, but it was wise to bo prepared. Mr. W. T. Anderton said every large city in the world had some similar scheme, and in Auckland the matter should be dealt with in comprehensive fashion. At the request of several members, who held that the Mayor's suggestion. regarding tho Finance Committee might mean interference with the ordinary work of committees, it was decided to defer action on the report until the next meeting of the council. MOTOR INSURANCE THE COUNCIL'S VEHICLES CHANGE RECOMMENDED A change in policy in the arranging of insurance on its motor vehicles was recommended to the City Council last night by its Finance Committee. A report from the Finance Committee stated that last May the State Fire and Accident Insurance Office had asked for permission to quote for tho insurance. In reply it was stated that the council insured direct with the South British Insurance Company, Limited, which shared the premium and risk with 24 other companies, but that company was prepared to includo the State Office in its arrangement. Later the State Office quoted a comprehensive policy based on tho previous year's schedule of vehicles for £292 as against £363 actually paid. If the council was prepared to pay the first £5 on each claim, the premium would bo reduced to £263. In reply to this, the South British Insurance Company quoted identical terms. The committee recommended that, after the expiry of the present policy, the counoil's insurance on motor vehicles should be arranged with the State Office, but the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, said arrangements had been made to have the matter referred back to the committee. It would come up again at the next meeting of the council. ST. HELIERS WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED Thirty-two residents of St. Heliers Bay petitioned the City Council last night for erection of up-to-date bathing accommodation and of more streets lamps on the waterfront, and for tho kerbing and channelling of all streets near tho latter. The city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, reported that the dressing rooms at St. Heliers were inadequate for present needs in summer. To erect a building similar to that at Mission Bay would cost £IOOO. Provision for extra street lamps had been made in the current year's estimates, and the loan proposals now before the council included improvements to the streets mentioned. I The matter of dressing accommodation on the beach was referred to the Parks Committee for a report. GIFTS TO CHARITY TOTAL OF £227 LAST YEAR Various charitable and other donations mado by tho City Council during tho year ended March 31, 1935, totalled over £227, according to a return presented at the meeting of the council last night. Tho donations included the remission of landing fees on Motuihi Island to various organisations holding picnics there and, in one instance, the remission of rates amounting to £SO. .The return was presented by tho town clerk, Mr. J. S. Brighnm, when a request was received from the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand for a donation toward its funds. On the recommendation of tho Finance' Committee, the council decided not to make any contribution. *