USE OF FIRE PLUGS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1935, Page 16

USE OF FIRE PLUGS

WAITAKA FIRE BRIGADE ACTION. COUNCIL DISCUSSES POWERS. An explanation of the Waitara Fire Brigade’s use of certain fire plugs for drill practice contrary to the borough inspector’s instructions was received from the brigade superintendent by the Waitara Borough Council last night The question was raised whether the brigade had not the right to use whichever plugs it desired for drill under an Act of Parliament, but councillors were agreed that the authority of the fire board was necessary for this. No motion was passed,’it being thought the matter could be decided amicably. Three firemen were practising for the New Zealand demonstration at Blenheim and as the plug concerned gave the same pressure as would be experienced there and was conveniently situated, wrote the superintendent, Mr. C. C. Limmer, he thought he was in order according to the section of the Act concerned. It would be better to let the matter drop, said the Mayor. . The section of the Fire Brigades Act, 1926, said Cr. H. Spuddle, stated that fire board officers and servants should have the use of all water mains, plugs and valve pipes belonging to any local authority and of all water therein or in any well or tank, free of charge, for extinguishing fires or for the purpose of drills authorised by fire boards. The brigade had been quite in order in using the plug. The only damage done was the breaking of a leather washer rotted through lack of use. It would be better if all the plugs in the borough were used, as some had been blocked up with bricks and stones. The superintendent should work under instructions from the fire board and work amicably with the inspector, said, the Mayor. Testing plugs was a different thing from rushing at them in drills. The Act gave the brigade the right to use the plugs for drill, said Cr. Spurdie. The superintendent wanted to know where he stood. The Act did not define what drill was, pointed out the Mayor. The fire board was the authority for drills. The Camp Reserve plug could not always be used and he thought a plug could be put in in a street for special drill use.