WOOLSTON FIRE SERVICE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1790, 8 November 1919, Page 9

WOOLSTON FIRE SERVICE.

UNSATISFACTORY STATE. AN OFFICIAL CRITICISM. In his. annual report to Parliament, Mr Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades for the Dominion, gives some very straight advice to the Woolston Fire Board. The report makes public the very unsatisfactory state into which fire-protection matters in the Woolston district fell last winter. Mr Hugo writes: — "I paid a visit to Woolston, of which due notice had been given, on the evening of May 8, with the intention of inspecting the Woolston Brigade and its equipment, but upon arrival at the fire station I found the only members of the brigade in attendance were the superintendent, deputy and two firemen, and that, instead of the authorised strength of 10, these four, with two on leave, constituted the then total membership of the brigade. Also, the motor chemical engine was out of commission, owing to the breaking of the front axle, and for the time being the district was relying upon the Christchurch Brigade for its protection from fire. . "

! "Fire protection matters in the Woolston Fire District have always been in a more or less unsatisfactory state — firstly, in reference to the maintaining of the membership of the.brigade up to its authorised strength, and, secondly in reference to the provision of adequate equipment. "As the new board is now on the point of assuming-control, it should go thoroughly into the whole matter, and place the brigade and its equipment in a more efficient and satisfactory condition, either, as previously recommended, by the purchase of a motor pumping machine and its necessary equipment, and which would also involve the building of a number of underground concrete tanks in those portions of the district where water from the river is not available to supply the pump, or, if the foregoing scheme is beyond their financial means, by making an agreement with the Christchurch Fire Board for the protection of Woolston as a contiguous districts."