ELTHAM FIRE BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1930, Page 12

ELTHAM FIRE BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING HELD

REPORTS ON PAST YEAR’S WORK. The annual meeting of the Eltham Fire Board on Tuesday was attended by Alessrs. E. H. Thomas (chairman), A. Kenip and I. J. Bridger (Eltham Borough Council), S. 0. Jones and N. Trewby (insurance companies) and Superintendent’ H. A. Nuttall (brigade). Mr. Thomas was re-elected chairman. In his annual report he stated the estimated expenditure for the year, fixed at £748, was approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs, The amount had been raised by the credit balance from the. previous year £173 18s 7d, insurance company levies £299 16s 2d, Eltham Borough Council £299, Government subsidy £5O, sundrifts £4 4s 9d, a total of £826 19s Gd. The amount levied by the board on fire insurance companies represented 10.77 per cent, of the insurance pre-

miums returned, and the borough’s con-

tribution represented a rate of l.ld in the £ on the capital value. This is exceptionally high, but was brought about' by required additions to the fire station this year. The receipts for the year amounted to £826 19s 6d, and the. expenditure to £572 4s, leaving a bank balance of £254 15s 6d. against which there were outstanding accounts amounting to £194 7s 4d. leaving a credit balance of £6O 8s 2d.

The insurance companies submitted their returns of premiums for the year amounting to £2776 17s 7d. Necessary additions were made to the fire station buildings at a cost of £172 7s. The cost of installing the electric light was £l9 14s 6d. Improvements to fire engine and replacement of hose accounted for £6O 7s 6d.

The fire calls for the year nurnljered 8, with insurance involved to the extent of £3960, on which losses amounted to £2138 —so an estimate of saving on claims would be £1822. A high standard of efficiency had been maintained in the brigade. The superintendent reported the number of tires for the year was two more than in the previous year. The total insurance involved amounted to £3960; loss by fire and water amounted to £2138. showing £1822 in favour of insurance companies.

The brigade’s work at fires during the year had resulted in some very fine saves. The brigade was up to full strength. Although it had lost several members during the year others had joined ami there were several waiting to join. During the year the accommodation at the station had been improved. The average attendance for the year had been 33 musters of 36. The conduct and discipline of the men during the year could not- have been better, and the harmony between the officers and men was all that could be desired.

The plant had been improved by an additional 600 feet of hose and four sets of new couplings, making- a total of 2500 feet of 2Uineh hose.

Fireman Gavigan had presented a cup to be run for every year. This year it was won by Fireman L. Julian.

“I am intending this year to give fire drill at the schools to the children,” said the superintendent, “and with the assistance of the teachers I hope great interest will be takefi, as I consider it is essential that all children should be taught fire drill. The superintendent stated one hall and one school were in bis opinion dangerous in the case of fire, The exits were not suitable. In the case of the Eltham infant school a remedy could -be provided very simply by making another exit. He stated children from two classrooms met at the only exit, and the position was dangerous. This was also the case in another two rooms.’ The other building was the Alasonic Hall, which had been inspected some years ago, and an interview with the exocut ire bad taken place, blit nothing had been done. The hall was built to accommodate 70 people, whereas there was sometimes present any number up to 200.

Superintendent Nuttall said he did not know exactly his powers in regard to the Alasonic Hall, but believed that though it was a private institution it was a place of assembly and he had power to enforce a remedy. He was going to r.eport the position again to the executive of the lodge. Some members of the lodge, considered it was dangerous. The cost of putting in an-’ other door would be about £5.

The chairman emphasised the danger of fire at the school, stating that though fire drill was given the children it did not always prove as effective as could be wished. He moved that a letter lie sent to the school committee setting out the position and requesting that the complaint.. of t’he board be forwarded to the Education Board.

The superintendent was given power to purchase two smoke helmets after inspection had shown them to be satisfactory. The cost would be about £4 10s.

The board dealt in committee with a request of the superintendent for an increase in his salary. It was reported in open meeting that the salary had been increased from £52 annually to £7O. GENERAL ITEMS. A good attendance of householders attended the meeting at Rawhitiroa. The election of the committee resulted: Messrs. J. Cocker (chairman), D. May, F. Silver, W. Barber and E. Fletcher. Mr. M. O’Connor and Mr. B. Robertson did not seek re-election. Mr. F. T. Hale, who was elected secretary pro tem at the annual meeting of the Stratford Poultry and Winter Show Association, as he declined permanent appointment for business reasons, has announced that arrangements have been made whereby he will be able to carry on with the work.

Every article in our store is a Star Value, and our chief claim is to our matchless prices. Our guarantee always stands good (satisfaction or money refunded). Our stocks have been carefully selected for quality and prices. You will find we know how to sell quality goods and to name low prices. The Auckland Warehouse, Drapery and Clothing Stores, Stratford, also al Waitara.

RAINFALL AT WHANGAMOMONA. The railfall for April was 5.57 inches, which is about the average for Whangamomona for April. Rain fell on nine days, the heaviest fall being on April 29, when the gauge recorded 1.42 inches. The month has been one of foggy mornings—fogs lifting . about ft a.m. — and bright days. The nights have been generally very cold, with fogs after 8 o’clock. KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. “NAVY BLUES.” Adventures on land and sea. comic complications on a destroyer, combined with a romantic drama showing William Haines not only as the comedian, but as the delineator of the more serious side of life, mark the star’s first alltalking picture, “Navy Blue,” now playing at the King’s Theatre. The new Metro-Goldw'.yu-Mayer production is one of the most elaborate starring vehicles Haines has ever had, and, under the deft direction of Clarence Brown, it sparkles with poignant bits of heart interest interspersed among the comedy sequences, in a perfectly rounded piece of entertainment. Haines’ whimsical humour is not lacking, and there are many screamingly funny sequences. But in the love story that is the central theme of the picture, Haines strikes a deeper note, to show himself not only a good comedian, but a fine action of the serious and romantic emotions. • The story is simple; the love of a sailor aboard a destroyer for a girl on shore; cruises and absences, shore leave, and a misunderstanding; finally a reconciliation that follows a sensational fighting rescue. The story moves with lightninglike speed, and one glimpses Manila and the Orient, life at sea, and intimate details of the work of a sailor in a vivid, shifting background of action.