NEW FIRE STATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18955, 4 March 1936, Page 4

NEW FIRE STATION

LOAN BOARD APPROVES 15 YEARS TO REPAY LOAN SCHEME TO START SOON 'QUAKE PROOF BUILDING Approval of the Gisborne Fire Board's proposals for reconstructing and enlarging the fire station, at a cost of approximately £12,000, has been obtained from the Local Government Loans Board, at Wellington, it was intimated at a meeting of the Fire Board held yesterday afternoon.

Aii early start is to be made with the scheme for modernising the station in conformity with present-day requirements, to which the Borough Council will contribute annually for the next 15 years an average of a little over £llOO, the Underwriters' Association finding an equal share of the cost. The scheme was the subject of representations to the Loans Board some months ago, when it was held up by that authority, on grounds which have since been disposed of by the Fire Board. It is proposed to reconstruct the station on an earthquake resisting design, to erect, four cottages for the accommodation of the overflow of brigadesmen who cannot be accommodated in the main building, and to furnish the station and cottages comfortably with a view to making the volunteer brigade service more attractive than it has been in recent years. FACILITIES OF BUILDINGS

On the grounl floor of the new station provision is to be made for three enginestands, with doorways opposite each stand. Nine bedrooms will be furnished on the ground floor, with accommodation for the Fire Board's meetings,_ a watch-house, and other administration needs. A parade floor for inspection purposes is to be included on this floor, also. The upper floor will be given over to two flats, for permanent officers of the brigade, and a recreation hall 53ft. by 42ft., in which will be housed the billiard tables.

The main building is to be enlarged on the Palmerstdn road frontage, taking ill « portion of the section adjoining the present building, and also will be extended to the rear, covering the area now occupied by an iron shed in which are housed certain items of brigade equipment, and fronting on Bright street. The four cottages are to be built on sections adjoining the station property, and will be of modern design, rentable to brigade members at reasonable cost.

The advantages of the new arrangements will include the concentration of the brigade within a close call of the station, and a consequent increase in the number of men who can be mustered at a moment's notice to undertake firefightina work. Immediate attack is recognised to be the key to successful suppression of fire outbreaks, an,d the Fire Board is confident that the measure it proposese to take will be fully justified by the experience of the future.