A FIRE INQUIRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24106, 27 October 1941, Page 6

A FIRE INQUIRY

Provision for a detailed inquiry into the cause and circumstances of the fire in the premises of John Burns, Limited, on August 10 has at last been made. The first move for investigation came from the Auckland Fire Board, which decided on August 27 to ask for a coroner's inquiry. It was then found that a coroner could return a verdict dealing only with the cause of a fire, this was considered unsatisfactory, and the Government was asked to provide something more comprehensive. Mr. F. K. Hunt has been appointed to investigate, and has been given an order of reference sufficiently wide to include almost any question that might, be raised. The cause and origin of this particular fire, and the manner in which it was fought are only the beginning of a list of points on which the commissioner is required to report. With the addition of the whole fire-fighting equipment of the City, the water supply, the adequacy of building by-laws and a number of other clauses, the avenue for inquiry and discussion is opened wide. The application of

various findings to circumstances in New Zealand generally makes the commission of more than immediate and local significance. There is, however, one thing which should not be overlooked. Mr. Hunt is asked to pronounce on the desirability of applying to existing buildings present or future by-laws dealing with safety measures. The City Council has already shown that it has been hampered in providing such by-laws through the Standards Institute failing to issue its code for general adoption. Such barriers to prompt action should be out of the way before the report is issued.