FIRES AT THE PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1924, Page 4

FIRES AT THE PORT.

RISK TO SHIPPING. WHARVES MAY BE DOST. OUT OF BRIGADE’S AREA. UNSATISFACTORY POSITION. That owing to the delay of Mie New Plymouth Harbour Board in coming to ;an understanding legarding fire fight- ' ing at the port there wm a risk of serious 'damage not only to shipping but to the timber wharves, wa-s a charge made at the meeting of the New Plymouth Fire Board hurt night. It was pointed out that the port ia outside the area in which the brigade, under the Act by which it Was constituted, is authorised to render assistance in fighting fires. The superintendent in his discretion, however, may take the brigade beyond the prescribed radius, but there is always the risk that such action will leave the brigade’s proper area unprotected, and should a 'fire occur in the town while the brigade is away those pay for its upkeep may have to bear a heavy loss while -the brigade is saving the property of those who contribute nothing to it. Appreciating this fact, it was aaid last night, the fire board had endeavoured to come to an understanding wuh uie Harbour Board for the use of the board’s men and plant should a fire occur at the port, but its efforts had not} met with the response expected. “A fire at the port, which might conceivably destroy the timber wharves, would be a disastrous thing* for New Plymouth,” said the chairman of the board (M-r. F. E. Wilson), “and we would certainly concur in the action of the superintendent in taking the brigade down there. It is necessary, however, in fairness to those who pay for the brigade, that we should have some understanding with the harbour hoard regarding the use of the plant.” Commenting on .the fire on the steamer Kaikoura at Wellington, Mr. WHeon said that this vessel was scheduled to call at New Plymouth and the fire might just as easily have started while the vessel was at this port. Fires :»n steamers were fairly common, and the day must come When one would start on board a steamer moored at Moturo»> They must, therefore, be ready to act immediately. It was stated that there were water mains on the wharves, but the question was raised as to whether Uwoafld be possible to get one of the fire engines on to the Moturoa wharf owing to the railway lines not s»eing flush wirii the decking. The superintendent (Mr. A. Boon) said he would make inquiries and, if possible, make a test of the wharf with an engine.

It was unanimously decided to again communicate with the harbour board* pointing out the present unsatisfactory position and asking that remedial me«ured be taken.