FIRE BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9522, 21 April 1909, Page 1

FIRE BOARD.

— • ■>.. , ■■■ -. christchur6h. An adjourned .meeting of the Christchurch lire Board^wasoield last evening; present — Messrs J. D. Hall (chairman), C. J. Cooper, H. R. ■■'. Ruebridge, W. D. Meares, C. Allison and H. S. Batchelor. ' v Mr Cooper wrote stating that he had informed the Fir Underwriters' Association m that he was compelled to resign his seat on the Board as > f romMay 20, when his^ present; year's term of- v office would expire.. He thanked the members of the Board for their aesistance to : him while, he had; been chairman of the Staff ancl Plant Committee*' " . • ' V The chairman and members expressed their r,egr"et at Mr Cooper's decision, and the letter was accepted with usgret. "•,••. ".. ■■'.' '.', , •' ' . ' ' V A letter was received from Messrs Edmondetone and O'Neill, giving particulars arid prices of a proposed new fire alarm eystem.. . The' matter was: referred to the superintendent for a report. The ; superintendent recommended that three vacancies in the auxiliary staff should be filled by the appointment of three permanent men, bringing ;the permanent staff to twenty-two, and that the employment .of three City Council drivers should be discontinued. The termination of the drivers' employment, it was stated/ would result in a saving of £128 a year, which would be added to the cost of the three new men, the net increase in wages bein^ about £200. a year. It was decided that tho matter should be held, over till the end of the financial year. It was reported that Engine-driver Davis had completed a month's tuition in "regard to the motor chemical, and it was resolved to increase his salary to £127 ISe, with an extra 6um of 6d a day for his duties as motor driver. j The Superintendent recommended that the firemen at Sydenham should , be einipowered to offer a sum hot ex- | ceeding 10s-to any passing driver, who' was willing to take the reel to a fire. He also suggested that a hose cart and horse should be placed at Syden-. ham, and the chemical engine" withidrawn. ! The recommendation was adopted, and consideration of the suggestion re- ! garding. the hose-cart was held -over; | It was decided that a recommendation of the Superintendent that the I Sydenham water-tower should be'dupli- | cated, to meet emergencies, should be held over until the estimates wore being considered. ' "> V The chairman was authorised to negotiate with the City Council, with the object of purchasing tv; strip of land at the rear of the Sit Albans station, sufiicient to allow for the extension of quarters. A request was received from the Underwriters' Association that the [ Superintendent should be permitted to I inspect - the fire appliances and plant jat Redcliff s, the Suninfcr Borough Council having asked for a reduction I of rates in consequence of the installation. . ; } ; \ The request was agreed to. I The Superintendent reported that in j order to control the qhantity of water I used when a fir© w^s partly out, it was | necessary to attach an inch hose to the ordinary hose. He had received tenders for the necessary connections, and recommended that of Messrs Price Brothers. ' , The tender was accepted. . y It was resolved to make .a' charge of £50 for the services of the Brigade in pumping at the Gasworks during . tho rocextA flood*