TIMARU FIRE BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18830, 19 March 1931, Page 11

TIMARU FIRE BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Timaru Fire Board was held last evening. Present—Messrs W. C. Raymond (in the chair), J. Hole, R. A. Crozier, G. Genstead, and C. S. Young. A letter was received from the Internal Affairs Department advising that Messrs John Hole (Government), R. A. Crozier, C. S. Young (Insurance Companies), W. C. Raymond, and G. Benstead (Borough Council), would be the representatives of the Board for the next two years. Mr Hole expressed pleasure at the re-appointment of the chairman to the Board. Mr Raymond had worked very hard in the interests of the Board. Mr Raymond acknowledged and reciprocated the congratulations, stating that his relations with the members of the Board had always been of the happiest. The Internal Affairs Department advised that the Inspector of Fire Brigades (Inspector T. T. Hugo), would be retiring from the public service as from March 31st. Owing to the financial position at present existing in the country, it had been decided that no fresh appointment would be made in the meantime. Arrangements had been that the administration of the Act would be carried on by Mr R. G. Butcher, Chief Inspector of Explosives. The Board placed on record its warm appreciation of Inspector Hugo’s work, the chairman and the superintendent speaking eulogistically of the retiring Inspector. The secretary reported that the Board’s laws had been gazetted and fifty copies were now to hand.

Inspector’s Report. The Inspector of Fire Brigades (Mr T. T. Hugo), reported that an inspection of the Timaru Fire Brigade and its equipment was made on February 17, when, at the inspection muster, the superintendent, deputy, and twenty firemen were on parade; these, with one one leave accounted for the total membership. The required inspection drills were, as usual in this Brigade, carried out in a smart and thoroughly efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. For the reasons and in the manner, as fully explained at the time of his visit, he would strongly recommend that in any future extensions of the fire mains, as also in the case of necessary replacements, the screwed outlet “ground hydrant” be fitted instead of the present “ball hydrant” pattern. Superintendent’s Report. The superintendent (Mr P. Campbell), in his report said that since last meeting the Brigade had held several practices and one meeting. The Brigade was inspected on February 17, by Inspector Hugo. The average attendance for calls and practices was 19 members. No. 3 engine had been overhauled, and No. 1 engine had had the brake shoes replaced, the appliances were now in good order. Since last meeting the Brigade had responded to 27 alarms of fire, 14 more than the previous quarter. Fifteen grass fires, two hedges, one motor ’bus, one transformer, three dwellings, one shed, one printing office, one motor truck, one chimney fire, and one rubbish fire. The personnel of the Brigade was the same as last quarter. The concreting around the cottages, which was held over to allow the ground to settle, could now be gone on with. He asked the Board to consider the advisability of erecting a work shop, where repairs could be carried on, without interfering with the working of the Brigade; also an office on the northwest corner of the station, which could be used as a Board room. In conclusion he would like to draw the Board’s attention to the names of the streets which have a similarity and often caused confusion when sending in a call by telephone. LeCren’s Terrace, LeCren Street, Cain’s Terrace, Cain Street, Milton Road, Mtelton Street, Short Street South, Short Street North; these streets are all in different directions and may lead not only to confusion but to a serious loss of property. He though the Board should bring this matter before the Borough Council and if possible have it rectified. After considerable discussion it was decided to postpone the erecting of a workshop in the meantime. The secretary was instructed to draw the attention of the Borough Council to the names of the streets which have a similarity. Prior to the election of chairman and vice-chairman, the chairman said that everything had went on very satisfactorily. The plant had been kept up to a very fine state of efficiency, and the superintendent, members of the Brigade, and the secretary had given of their best in the interests of the Brigade. He thanked the members for the hearty support accorded him.

Messrs Crozier and Benstead referred to the happy relations that had existed between the chairman and Board members.

Mr Raymond was unanimously reelected chairman, and Mr Hole was again returned as vice-chairman. Accounts amounting to £474/12/11 were passed for payment.

The Board decreased its estimates from £3150 for the past year to £2950 for 1931-32.