THE FIRE BRIGADE

Southland Times, Issue 17558, 23 January 1914, Page 2

THE FIRE BRIGADE

NEED OF PERMANENT ATTENDANT. Some rather important recommendations were made to the Town Council last evening by Fire Brigade Superintendent Hamilton, who prefaced his report with a statement that the work of the brigade was going on steadily, but in the interest of the highest efficiency he suggested that the Council should engage a‘ permanent man who would be on duty during the day time. He would require to be a motor mechanic. and would have full charge of the motor. His duties would Include attending to all gear, and as the brigade would soon have the escapes, the new hose, etc., it seemed that with such a valuable plant someone should attend to the care of same. He might say that in other brigades this move had been taken; in fact, in Wanganui there were two permanent men, while in Palmerston North they had three permanent men. He pointed out also that the permanent man would be required to do the hose binding, which was now done by Mr .lames Stewart, and also repairs to the old hose. Superintendent Hamilton went on to point out that although Mr Stone at present was doing his best, still the fact remained that if his duties tool-: him to, say, the lights in the Victoria Hall, it stood to reason that some considerable time must elapse before lie would take the motor out in event of an alarm. The salary of such a man would be about two pounds fifteen shillings per week. This would not he completely a new charge against the brigade accourit ds a large sum paid to the present drivers would be saved. Again, in matters such as hose washing, ninepence per hundred feet was paid, and this could lie done by the permanent man. The salary of one of the present drivers amounted to eighteen pounds yearly. This would be saved, and. in fact, summing up. he estimated that about fifty pounds would be saved, making the advance only about ninety pounds. “I may say in conclusion,” wrote Superintendent Hamilton, “that we can get along as we are. and will, as we have done, do our best, but if the funds will allow it my proposition will, without question, make the brigade more efficient.” The report was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee.