FIRES OUTSIDE THE CITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 438, 6 July 1915, Page 2

FIRES OUTSIDE THE CITY.

QUESTION OF WATER SUPPLY.

Some little time ago the Christchurch Fire Board decided that the Fire Brigade'should not attend tires outside the city boundaries, except in certain special cases, such as public institutions, in which a fire would involve considerable risk to life. There is one aspect of the matter which closely concerns the Christchurch City Council. This aspect was set out in the following report which the Waterworks Committee presented to the council last evening:—, "It is. assumed that the Fire Brigade proposes to use wafer from the city mains if it is called upon to extinguish a fire at any of these premises. As the properties contribute nothing towards the maintenance of the waterworks, the committee considers that they should be required to do so, as the ratepayers cannot be expected to be taxed for the supply of water for fire-prevention purposes to properties outside of the city boundaries. The committee recommends that the owners of the premises be required to pay dh annual sum equal to that which they would have to pay if they were within the city, biit not connected with the waterworks. This payment to be made in advance, and to cover the cost of any water that may be used in case of fire.

"The Fire Board has been inform-

cd that the brigade is not to, use water from the city waterworks for premises outside the city until the owners have made the required financial arrangements with the council."

The report was adopted without discussion.