NEW FIRE STATION

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 4019, 26 July 1944, Page 3

NEW FIRE STATION

FIRE BOARD DISCUSSION

SOME HESITATION

At a meeting of the Cambridge Fire Board on Friday last a full discussion regarding the suggested new station took place and opinions around the table varied considerably, as-to the advisability of building a new station. There seemed a reluctance, shall we say, or merely apathy, to what appears to be an urgent necessity, of building a new fire station. The proposed new plans for a station and residence were in a prominent position in the council chambers, and yet none of the board members asked that they be placed on the table for discussion.

Mr F. T. Ray (secretary) said that the proposed cost of station and residence was £4,475, £1,575 of which was included for the residence. The proposed sections for building the station on, were approximately £250 each. One was already purchased. A loan could be raised through the Bank of New Zealand G. & P. Fund at a rate of interest at 3:1 per cent. '

Mr M. Wells: Why is it necessary to build at all? Is the old building unsatisfactory? Mr W. .1. Harris: Yes.

Mr A. Back suggested that the Board a’djourn to inspect the old building, which in his opinion bad a great fire risk. The Board had a lot of money tied up in lire fighting appliances, and these were housed “in an old shack of a station.” Dilapidated Building.

Mr F. G. Wooller: Yes, the place is fairly dilapidated, and the position is, as Mr Harris has said, none of the firemen will live there. The conditions are so bad. I wonder if it would be possible to renovate it and make it possible for men to live there?

Mr Harris: Yes, that is true. The fact that we can’t get a man to live above the station, is our greatest draw back at the present time. Also, we have no facilities for training. Even mending the hose has to be done by torchlight in an old shed at the back of the station. Mr Wells: Well, I’m not against the idea of a new station, but I wanted to know all about it. Mr Wooller: When Mr Girling Butcher, the chief superintendent of Fire Brigades, was here three weeks ago, did lie make a report on it?

Mr Harris: Yes. He was always against the present station. Mr Back: I think.that the foundations of the building are such that a permit for alterations would not be given.

Mr Wells: I think we should have a report from Mr Butcher. The Board finally decided that it was convinced of the need for a new station and decided that a letter be sent to Mr Butcher asking for his report on the adequacy of the present station and whether it is capable of alterations or repairs. It was also suggested that a covering letter be sent saying that for purposes of obtaining sanction for a loan his report would probably be required. Matter Still Shelved.

And so nothing will be done re the building of a new fire station in Cambridge for another three months, until the board meets again. Most residents are familiar with the old fire station, which is a sadly dilapidated building in Duke Street. It has a definite “lean” outwards, and should have been condemned long ago. It is necessary too that a member of the brigade be resident at the station, so that someone is on call day or night. Living conditions are such that none of the brigade will live there. Surely it is enough to try the patience of this small band of men who give of their time and services to the community. At the close of the meeting a vote of thanks and appreciation were passed to Messrs Edgar James and A. 11. Nicoll, retiring members of the Fire Board.