ELTHAM FIRE BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1935, Page 10

ELTHAM FIRE BOARD

REPORT ON RECENT ACTIVITIES.

SUPERINTENDENT’S PROPOSALS. The quarterly meeting of the Eltham Fire Board was held yesterday. The superintendent, Mr. H. A. Nuttall, reported that two fires had occurred during the quarter, one in the business area and one on the outskirts of the borough. In both cases the flames were subdued without much structural damage, but in the former the stock was extensively damaged. A call was received at 12.15 a.m. to a fire in a shop occupied by Messrs. Wells and Company. Because of the heavy smoke it was difficult to see, but the fire was extinguished after considerable damage had been done by smoke and a little damage done by water. The damage was £589 to the stock and £3O to the shop. A call was received to Mr. H. Sorenson’s fire at 3.40 a.m. There was a delay of five or six minutes in connection with the call as the caretaker was under the impression the fire was outside the borough. Five brigade members arrived after about 14 minutes and set to work with a fire extinguisher and hand pump after Mr. Sorenson and family had kept the flames in check. The damage was £3O.

The superintendent recommended, that a first-aid pump and bucket containing four gallons be obtained. This appliance would often avoid the ■ use of heavy water pressure and thereby save considerable loss.

It was also recommended that a white ring be painted round all plugs in the business area, as it was difficult to discern them on tar-sealed roads on wet\ nights. At a boxing tournament the fire appliances were built over and rendered useless. The fire escape door was blocked and built over at the time of the flower show. No person had any right} to make structural alterations to any licensed hall without the permission of the superintendent of the fire brigade.

The personnel of the brigade was up to standard, drills and meetings were well attended and the work of the men was satisfactory. The first foreman fractured two ribs at Wells and Company’s fire and was paid insurance for two weeks. A new hose and a Sarkie nozzle had arrived.

The secretary, reported that a schedule of duties for the fire brigade superintendent had been drawn up. It was agreed that the schedule covered the matter in a general way and this was adopted. It was resolved to obtain particulars and prices of a first-aid hand pump. It Was pointed out that in the case of small fires such apparatus would be much less damaging to shop stock than the ordinary heavy pressure fire hose. The matter of painting fire plugs in the business area with a conspicuous sign was referred t;o the Eltham Borough Council for attention.

The complaint that the fire-fighting equipment in the town hall had been built over was also referred to the borough council as to ensure that the fire appliances be kept free in’ future. There were present Messrs. I. J. Bridger (chairman), J. H. Morton, G. G. Whiting, S. O. Jones and A. H. Hatfield.