FIRE BOARDS IN OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23136, 11 March 1937, Page 10

FIRE BOARDS IN OTAGO

POSSIBILITY OF AMALGAMATION DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE Representatives of fire boards' throughout the Otago district met in Dunedin last night to discuss the possibility of securing an amalgamation of boards. The conference was held at the invitation of the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board which, at its January meeting, received a circular from the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) inviting local bodies to discuss possible amalgamation. It was mentioned at that meeting that the work of all the fire boards in Otago could be controlled efficiently by one body, and the view was also expressed that, even if the boards were not prepared to adopt this course, amalgamation on a smaller scale could be considered. When the representatives of the boards met last night it was decided that the proceedings should be in committee as it was possible to discuss the question only in a general way and no definite decision could be reached without reference to the individual boards at a subsequent stage. Later it was announced that, after a full discussion, the meeting had been adjourned so that the matter could be given further consideration. The chairman of the Dunedin Board (Mr J. Wilson) presided over the conference, and the Oainaru, Balclutha, Milton, Kaitangata and Lawrence Boards were also represented.