THIRTEEN MORE CALLS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19312, 30 April 1937, Page 9

THIRTEEN MORE CALLS

SEVEN WITHOUT RESULT FIRE BRIGADE'S WORK CHILDREN AND MATCHES Careless snickers and children who phu with matches are substantial contributor.' to the total of fires throughout the Dominion, aiid last year they were responsible tor seven outbreaks in Gisborne. according J,o the annual report of the superintendent •of the Gisborne Fire Brigade. Mr. J. W. Kane. The total number of fires in the borough for the year was 25. 11 of them affecting dwellings, two of which were seriously damaged. Two of the calls received wen to places outside the fire district.

11l the course of his report to yesteiday's meeting of the Fire Hoard. Mr. Kiine stated that the number of calls exceeded that of the previous year by 13. and that seven were, found to lie fal.se alarms,- t'wo'lieing malicious. Four business premises were partly damaged, ami slight damage was done at the brewery outbreak. Four calls were occasioned by dirty chimneys, and five by sparks from fire-places. The majority of the fires caused no material damage.

Monday's reputation as a likely day for fires was challenged on this occasion, for while Mondays produced eight fires in the course of the year, Saturdays produced seven, and Wednesdays six. Half the fires occurred on either side of 6 p.m.

The strength, of the brigade for the year totalled 25 officers and men, the report continued. Total attendances at fires numbered 763, an average of 22.44 being registered in the matter of attendances. Thirty-four fires and 29 practices had kept the brigade up to a good standard of efficiency, and the average turnout time was 65J,see.

Appreciation of the advice and assistance given during the year by the inspector of fire brigades,'Mr. P. Girling Butcher, was expressed by the super intemlent, who also thanked the Gisborne fire Police, the police force, St. John Ambulance Corps, and the staffs of the Poverty Pay Electric-Power Board, the telephone exchange, the borough ' engineer's department, and the traffic inspection department