FIRE PREVENTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11510, 5 October 1915, Page 6

FIRE PREVENTION.

POSITION IN SPREYDON. PROPOSALS BY THE MAYOR. The shocking fatalities at the lire at Fendalton a. few weeks ago have stirred residents in the Spreydon Borough to consider proposals for an eifectivo fixe prevention service. At present the borough is devoid of a high-pressiu-» water supply system, and _ those who control tho borough's affairs feel that the high-pressure supply must precede the establishment of a fire-fighting plant. The supply would _ cost about £9OOO. Up tilt recently it lias been considered that the residents would not sanction a loan of that amount, but the Mayor (Mr W. R. Winsor) intends to make some proposals in this direction at the meeting of the Borough Council to-morrow night, when he vvi l ascertain if the council will go with him at least some of the way towards the object in view. At present the borough is absolutely unpz'otected from fire. Some years ago there was a good volunteer brigade al the western end of Lincoln Road. it had a manual engine, and showed that it way capable as far as its equipment wou.d allow it to go; but apparently it failed to continue its existence, and was disbanded. About three years ago the Pirn Board offered the borough a chemical. Tho offer was refused, and nothing has been done since. Mr Winsor explained to-day that tlia difficulty in the way of having a volunteer brigade with engines lies in tho pe.;.iliar manner in which the borough has been settled. There are three separate centres, one near Selwyn Street, adjoining the city, the other near Sonierfield Street, and the third near Lincoln Road. The centre of the borough is almost bare. A central fire station, consequently, would' not bo much uso. Three separate stations are required, or, as an alternative, a high-pressure water supply system; and it is the latter which seems to bei favoured when fire protection in the borough is considered. A third option is amalgamation with Greater Ohristcharch, but Mr "Winsor i.s opposed to this. He admits that Spreydon cannot secure all the facilities enjoyed by Ohristchurch without a hea\y expenditure, but there are many within its reach while it still retains it; independence; and although Chri tchurch constantly tells Spreydon that it has everything to gain by amalgamating, Mr Winsor says, it always fails to point out just where the benefits lie.