DUNEDIN FIRE BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19201, 18 June 1924, Page 9

DUNEDIN FIRE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Fire Board was held yesterday; present—Messrs J. Wilson (chairman), T. Chalmer, J. £>. Webb, J. S. Hislop, J. J. Clark, W. Begg, and W. A. Scott. The Superintendent (Mr A. G. Napier) reported as follows on the work for the month; — l Twenty-five colls were attended by the different sections of the brigade during the month under review. Eight were fires in or on property, the largest being an outbreak in Messrs Hogg and Co.’s timber mills, where there might have been infinitely more damage but for the strenuous efforts of the brigade working in particularly uncomfortable conditions. Another fire worthy of note was one which occurred off Stafford street, in which an elderly woman received severe burns and was rescued by the brigade from a burning, cottage which was partly destroyed. There were 10 calls which were caused by foul chimneys which had become alight, and it appears strange that so many persons aro content to risk their own and their neighbours’ property in this careless fashion. Rubbish fires accounted for two brigade turn-outs. False alarms caused the brigade to respond on five occasions, three being caused by automatic installations, one was a justifiable false alarm, end one was the act of some misguided person who turned in a malicious false alarm. The stations of the brigade are in good condition and tho plant is all in good order. The ambulance motors were called into service on 128 occasions.—Adopted. The Secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association submitted tho following report in regard to tho ambulance service ; —My executive is keenly aware of the desirability of a third ambulance being provided, and much regrets its inability to do so at present. The sole reason for this is the insufficiency of public support as measured by donations towards this object. A few months ago my executive made an appeal for funds wherewith to purchase a third machine. This appeal was powerfully supported by the press, all likely donors were communicated with, first by circular, then by personal visit. The net result was a sum of £370 9s 6d, of which £l5O was given in one sum, mainly through the good offices of Superintendent Napier, about £IOO was subscribed by members of the executive, and the balance represents the response of the general public. The figures speak for themselves. My executive has frequently and publicly expressed ite gratitude to Superintendent Napier, his officers, and men for the invaluable assistance they have freely and willingly given to this association. It takes this opportunity of doing so again, but it cannot make bricks without straw, nor procure a new ambulance without money. Nothing would please my executive more than to see the very latent and best type of ambulance in charge of such a capable and sympathetic body as Superintendent Napier and his staff. It yet hopes to do so, hut at present it is merely a hope. My executive is, however, at present organising a carnival on a somewhat extensive scale for production in July, and if tho venture is as successful as it is expected to bo the financial situation will be much improved.—Received. The Duplex Fire Alarm Company (Ltd.), Dunedin, wrote stating that in accordance with the request of Mr Shepherd (electrical engineer, New Zealand Fire Underwriters’ Association) they wished to apply for permission to have a test installation of the New Zealand automatic fire alarm, connected up through the Dunedin brigades’ duplex system to the fire station. —Superintendent Napier wrote recommending that the application be granted, as in his opinion the now idea was an excellent one, and was likely to cheapen automatic installations, and thus help to protect the larger buildings of the city.—The application was granted. A letter was received from the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company, stating that the matter of fire protection at the Exhibition was engaging the attention of the Works Committee, which would in due course advise the board of its proposals. It was ‘further stated that the matter of firefighting appliances and prevention, was recognised as one of paramount importance, and the assistance of the board and its experts would be greatly appreciated by the directors. —Received. The estimate of expenditure for the year ended June 30, 1925, was the same as 1924 namely, £13,500. ’The City Council’s contributton would be equal to 1.7 d in the pound on the estimated rateable value of the city, as against I.Bcl in the pound for 1924, while the percentage due from the insurance companies would be 9.01 per cent, of their premium income, as against 8.5 S for the previous year.—Adopted. Accounts totalling £974 19s 7d were passed for payment. ANNUAL MEETING. At the close of the monthly .meeting tho annual meeting was held. Mr J. Wilson was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr Chalmer a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Superintendent Napier and his efficient staff for the manner in which they had attended to their duties. The mover said that in his opinion Dunedin had ono of the finest brigades in the dominion. He would specially refer to the commendable manner in which the men attended to tires, and the care they exercised in preventing unnecessary loss. They had saved the citizens of Dunedin thousands of pounds,, and he was sure the public recognised then good work The thanks of the board were also extended to the secretary (Mr J. T. Haroman), who had so capably filled that position.