New Fire Station Scheme Once More Under Discussion

Waikato Independent, Volume XLV, Issue 6232, 29 April 1949, Page 4

New Fire Station Scheme Once More Under Discussion

FURTHER DELAY.

Expressing concern at a report he had read in the paper in connection with the Cambridge Borough Council's attitude to the building of a new fire station at the corner of Lake and Kirkwood streets, Mr Lewis Walker, the architect preparing plans for a new fire station, has written to the Fire Board, enclosing the copy of a long letter sent to the Borough Engineer, Mr N. R. Sanderson. The letter, which was read at yesterday's meeting of the Fire Board, sought, among other things, confirmation of the reported statements that the proposed station did not conform to the building by-laws.

After the letter had been read, the Fire Underwriters' representatives on the board, Messrs F. G. Wooller and E. T. Anderson, of Auckland, expressed concern that such a position had arisen. They contended, also, that if Hie council did not consider that the corner of Lake and Kirkwood streets was a suitable site for the station, then the board should have been notified months ago, and a considerable sum of money would have been saved. The Mayor, Mr K. L. Wilkinson, stated that a request had come to the engineer for approval for an amended building plan on the corner. This plan did not conform to the by-laws, although the previous plan had done so. The council was of the opinion that the site was too valuable for a fire station and' residences, but decided to call a public meeting to obtain an expression (ft opinion from the district. The meeting would decide whether the site should be acquired for future civic purposes or be used as a firs station. "Very likely," was the reply given by Mr Wilkinson, when Mr Wooller asked if the council would follow the expression of opinion of the meeting. "What annoys me," said Mr Anderson, "is that Mr Wooller and myself

came from Auckland to the last meeting on April 12 and spent a whole night discussing plans for a new building. We decided to ask the architect to make further plans, and now the borough council tells us that the building is not to go on the site selected, and its structure will be against the by-laws. There were council representatives at that meeting and we should have been informed there. This means more wasting of the Cambridge ratepayers' money.

"As far as the section is concerned, the board owns it," added Mr Anderson. "We believe the council wants it, but the board has received no intimation from the council asking for it."

Mr Mervyn Wells, the chairman, said his idea had always been to erect the station on the corner, provided it was in keeping with the civic area. However, with the cuts which had been made to keep within costs, the station was not now so desirable there.

Mr Wilkinson pointed out that the position was difficult and delicate, and there had been a lot of feeling. None of the board members had supported him when he had been accused by one member of being a dictator, and now he had not felt inclined to discuss the council business until a meeting had been hel(h_ Mr Wooller contended that when Mr Wilkinson had brought forward his alternative scheme for a station in Duke Street, the only reason given was that it was cheaper. There was never any mention that the council wanted the corner section.

"It \\»s only from outside information that we learned the corner was wanted for a war memorial," said Mr W. J. Harris, the Brigade' Superintendent.

Mr Wilkinson: The present council thinks the site is too valuable for a fire station, but we will leave the issue to a public meeting. After some further discussion, during which the insurance representatives expressed again their disappointment at this latest set-back, it was decided to inform the architect of the council's intention to call a public meeting, and to ask him not to continue with the plans and specifications in the meantime.

Before the meeting closed, Mr Wooller presented the fact that the main concern of the board was to get an efficient station just as soon as possible. It had been mentioned previously that the site was not a matter of supreme importance, and if the council wanted the section for a war memorial, and there was another good location for the station, then there might be a solution. The station had to be gone on with. * i