TIMARU FIRE BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 March 1927, Page 4

TIMARU FIRE BOARD.

QUARTERLY AI FETING. The quarterly meeting 01 the ’l’imaru Fire Board was held at the Fire Station yesterday. Present. —Alessr.s ' W. C. Raymond (chairman), J. Hole, G. J. AA’allaee, R. A. Crozicr, and C. S. Young. ELECTION OF Ofl AIRAIAN. The chairman said that under the Act passed last session, the chairman of the Board would hold office, for one year, instead of two as previously, and would be required to vacate the chair each February. Air Hole spoke in appreciative terms of the services of Air Raymond, and moved that be take office for a further term.

Air Wallace said it would bo of great advantage to the Board if Air Raymond would accept re-election. Aid Raymond’s work had been in the right direction, and the Board had benefiited considerably by his services. 'The motion, was carried unanimously. The chairman returned thanks for the confidence again placed in him. Ho also expressed pleasure at the members’ co-operation, which resulted in the smooth running of the Board and the Brigade. CHA! KAIAN’S STATEAJ ENT. The chairman said Unit the new regulations, which provided for the curtailment of Iho complement of members of Fire Boards, provided for two insurance, one Government, and two local body representatives. Owing to tliis reduction, the Board had lost Air C. G. Baker, who, although he had not been long on the Board, had proved a very useful member. Another representative was Air J. F. Grierson, who was one of the initial Board members. As a worker, Air Grierson was unsurpassed, and the fact

that lie had attended practically every meeting of the Board was a tribute to: Jiis worth. Speaking with regard to the financial position, Air Raymond said that the Hoard was in a good position, for after paying expenses, they would have a credit balance of £361 17s 6d. Tile chairman also congratulated Deputy-Superintendent Thompson, who had gained a gold star for 25 years’ service. Deputy-Superintendent Thompson had served ail his time with the Timaru Brigade, and had a very gcod record. A letter was received from Air J. F. Grierson stating that his assocadtion with the Board had always been a pleasure, and the work had been lightened by, the cordial feelings which hud existed. Air Grierson wished the Board the best of hick, and wished the members of the Brigade good Jiealth and freedom from fires. It was decided to place on record Air Grierson’s and Air Baker’s services to the Board. It was also resolved to congratulate the Deputy-Superintendent on his gaining the gold service star.

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING. Mr Crozicr wrote asking if the Board had any special means of fire-fighting appliances. The .secretary stated he had replied that the Board had no special appliances. Air Crozicr said it seemed rather pcculair that a local body should have granted authority to a site for the erection of ail tanks near the waterfront, whore such a lot of valuable property was situated. If a fire oe- j curredi in one of the tanks, some effort j would] have to be made by the Brigade to protect property, even though the oil company paid no levy to the Board. Air Wallace said the Harbour Board had gone very fully into the position before permission had been granted. The block of land along the sea front had been reserved as an oil area, and was perfect.v safe. The only fear was lightning, and that was very rare ir, this district. The lightning would have to break a- tank open, and ignite the contents. Mr Crozicr said that if a fire broke out at the tanks, the Bnigade would be unable to cope with it. Air Hole said that if n fire did break out, the Brigade would turn out. That was all they wanted to know. Ah- Young said he understood tho Links wore each fitted with an automatic fire extinguisher.

NON-PAYAtENT OF LEVIES. A letter was received from the AlinisLer of Internal Affairs, an reply to a communication from the Board as to whetlitr there was any way in which the Board could overcome the non- 1 payment of levies by oil stores, stating i that ti>e matter of firms and companies j who did not take out insurances with insurance companies, hut took the risk themselves, setting as/do amounts out of their profits to provide for possible (ire losses contributing to Eire Board

funds, bad been under' consideration on various occasions. It was true that such companies or firms by not contributing, got possibly more benefit from the Board’s activities than those insuring in the ordinary way. Oil the other hand, llicro were many individuals wlm did not insure but “took .he risk” or had only a light insurnucei cover. ft would seem therefore that any attempt at legislation to. get returns from companies that were actually carrying on a system of internal insurance, would conflict with Die non-insurer or partial insurer. The only way to ascertain the true position would be to get returns from everv owner or oceunier which would result ;n a very considerable amount, of work. Tn this oonnecffnn. a letter was rereived from the British Imperial Oil Coni]),any advising that tbejr property was not insured against fire with any Cnmmtiiy. and. that the risk was taken by their own eoirmany in London. They, therefore, understand that they were nob liable for any payment toi the Board. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. The Superintendent (Captain P. Campbell) reported that since last meetmg, the Brigade bail held five wet practices and one meeting. The Brigade also responded to nine alarms oi fii o, none of wbieb were of a serious nature. They comprised two motor

lorries, 1 shed, 1 shop and dwelling, I ..V. u .n.nse, one dwelling house, two rubbish fires, with an average attendance of eighteen men. The personnel of the Brigade was twenty-three members, the samo as reported at last meeting. Deputy-Superintendent 'Thompson completed 25 years of service on January 16, and was presented with lids twenty-fiveyears’ service star at the recent conference at Gisborne. 'This made the fifth member of tho Brigade to receive this honour. Inspector Hugo would inspect the Brigade on Wednesday night. The report was adopted. GENERAL. The chairman was appointed to attend a conference of Five, Boards at Wellington, the first week in May. Accounts amounting to £467 7s 6d were passed for payment.