CAUSE OF MANY FIRES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18584, 19 December 1934, Page 5

CAUSE OF MANY FIRES

SPARKS FROM ENGINES A UOKLAND’S EXPERIENCE DEPARTMENT CRITICISED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Strong complaints that the Railway Department had taken no action to lessen the incidence of grass fires caused by sparks from locomotives were expressed by members of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board at a meeting of the board last night, when the brigade superintendent stated that the evidence definitely pointed to the conclusion that the recent serious outbreak at the Morningside Timber Company's mill was the result of sparks from an engine igniting grass near the railway embankment. The damage was estimated at between £16,000 and £17,000. When it was suggested that strong representations should be made to the department, the chairman, Mr.- J. J. Kingston, said the matter 'had been broached time after time, but nothing had been done to have it rectified. The position was a serious one, and . some action would have lo be taken.

“We may get some satisfaction if we keep hammering away at the department-,” ho remarked. “The position might be somewhat alleviated if locomotives were equipped with, spark catchers and burned harder coal.’' Endorsement of the chairman’s remarks was expressed by other The superintendent reported that of 69 grass or rubbish fires attended by brigades from November 20 to December 12, altogether 43 had been caused by sparks from locomotives. The board decided to request- Mr. Girling Butcher, inspector of fire brigades, to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister of Railways.