UNION OF FIRE DISTRICTS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1932, Page 7

UNION OF FIRE DISTRICTS

LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS.

BILL SUBMITTED TO HOUSE.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night.

The Fire Brigades Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day, provides for the establishment of united fire districts by the amalgamation of two or more areas. On application by the districts concerned fire districts will be constituted by Order-in-Council. A poll of ratepayers must be taken before an application can be lodged. The fire board of a united , district shall consist of one member to be appointed by the Governor-General, not fewer than two and not more than four representatives of local authorities within the district and an equal number of representatives of insurance companies carrying on business within the district. United fire districts, in which are included the cities of Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, are to receive from the Consolidated Fund annually not more than £4OO. The board of a united fire district shall take over all the assets and liabilities of existing fire boards. Special provision is made for the establishment of an Auckland metropolitan fire district. The consent of the Minister of Internal Affairs must be secured before any poll of ratepayers is taken for the constitution of a fire district in a metropolitan area. If any part of the district of a local authority is within 15 miles of the - chief post offices at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. AU officers of boards entrusted with the custody and control of moneys shall give security for the sum under their control as the board may require. From next year the date for the biennial elections of fire boards is altered from February to May, and the date of annual meetings from March to April. Provision is made in another clause that, in addition to a fire board contracting with contiguous local authorities for fire protection purposes, an owner of property outside a fire district may make an agreement with a fire board for similar purposes. Fire boards are to be empowered to offer rewards up to £5 for conviction of persons giving false alarms.