FIRE BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12086, 15 August 1917, Page 6

FIRE BOARD.

LAST KYENINGS MKKTINO. The Chrisfchureh Fire Hoard met last evening; present--.Messrs 11. Holland (chairman), l'\ IJurgoyne, (".!. Kerr"isli. .)'. K. Griorson, A. Williams and H. R. Rusbridgo. Tho executive com in if tee reported that tli,, tender of W. Smart and Son, £7O llis .'kl, for asphalting at various stations, and the, lender of C. and J. Colville., £HJu (less £lO for old boiler), for heating apparatus for the single? men's quarters, had been accepted. The Railway Department had paid a retaining feo to have AddingUnn Workshops placed on the guaranteed list. The report was adopted, and it was decided to give the superintendent authority to purchase a, screw-cutting latho and motor. The Riccarton Borough Council wrote, stating that the superintendent's report, on lire prevention in the district* was under consideration, and a. decision would bo arrived at shortly. Messrs K. Recce, and Sons wrote, enclosing a. cheque for £2O as a donation towards th 0 brigade's funds, and returning thanks for the splendid services rendered by the brigade at the. recent fire at their premises in Colombo Street. The chairman said that the lire was a very difficult one to cope with, as it had been burning in the cellar for an hour before an alarm was given. The smoke in tho crllar was terrible, and tho tire was very awkward to extinguish. The. men who extinguished ■ i'U risked their lives. The letter was received, members expressing the opinion that the donation was a very generous one. The superintendent' reported that seventeen calls had been received sinco last meeting, including nine actual firen in the city. The estimated lire loss on theso was" £368, exclusive of the loss at Messrs 10. Recce and Sou's premises. The Provincial Government '.Buildings had been connected with the station by private alarm. He had received a plan from the. Public Works Electrical Department, showing the location ol tho high tension current bare electric wires in the city, and members of the brigade had been given this information. The report was adopted. Tho monthly statement of receipts and expenditure showed receipts amounting to £lBlO 1H« 7d, and an expenditure of £1092 4s lid. Accounts amoun'ting to £ll/33 17s 9d were passed for payment, subject to oxammatiou. Tho chairman was authorised to interview tho Minister of Public Works with a view to securing amending legislation empowering Fire Boards desiring to purchase a new engine, or mako other capital outlay, to spread the levy for that purpose over two or_ three years, instead of putting it all in one year v as at present required.