FIRE FIGHTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 156, 4 July 1934, Page 6

FIRE FIGHTING

PATE A EQUIPMENT EFFICIENCY QUESTIONED (Own Correspondent.) PATE A, July 3. Questions arising out of the inefficient performance of the Patea brigade’s fire engine following a recent alarm were asked of the brigade's representatives at a special meeting of the Patea Borough Council on Monday, it was made clear by the council that the question of the efficiency of the members o/ the brigade did not arise, hut they were concerned with the efficiency of the equipment. The Mayor informed the council prior to the deputation's arrival that the engine had been purchased by the brigade from Eltham about ten years ago, which had been since maintained by the council. Shortly after its purchase the engine had climbed the hill to the fire on Neal’s property, carrying men and towing the manual pump with out difficulty. The onus was on the brigade and not on the council to sec that the plant was efficiently maintained and he was sorry that the captain of the brigade had seen fit to pub lish a letter blaming the council. No request for material by the brigade had oeen refused at any time and an expenditure of £4O incurred without the

eoune’i’s permission had been paid without question. A deputation headed by Captain Fitzwater, representing the brigade, was introduced. A letter, previously leceixed from the brigade calling at tent ion to the state of the engine was read. Captain Fitzwater, in explanation of the happenings following a recent alarm which had occasioned so much criticism, stated that the brigade was dependent on anyone, during the daytime, to get the engine out. On thLq occasion the engine had started easily but had no pulling power and gave eon s'dcrablc trouble. The engine was started up frequently without difficult} but the engine required a knack m starting. The brigade took exception to one councillor’s attitude who had talked all around the town condemning the brigade. Fireman Nielsen stated that he had had 30 years of brigade experience ami he was proud to say they had creditably fought : ne serious fires. Those present with experience of the older models of the same make of car as the engine knew that instantaneous service did not always result. The brigade gave a voluntary service to the town, a service in which one fireman had lost 1 is life. Lieutenant G. Wills, who was on the engine on the day in question, described the difficulties experienced. . Fireman C. Carey stated that he was sorry that the captain had rushed into print on the matter and he was sure the captain was sorry also. He recommended that an overhaul be made of the engine. The Alayor stated that the council had never turned the brigade down as was stated in the captain’s published

letter, and the brigade’s efficiency had never been questioned. The council had been dragged into print through no fault of their own. It was admitted that the engine deteriorated more ouickly standing idle than when in use. but no information had been received by the council that the machine was not in good order. Cr. Christensen stated that it was out of place to state that the council would net acce ie to their requests. The captain was responsible for the engine not ocmg in good order and was responsible for the talk that had arisen by rushing into print. Cr. Scott said they probably referred to him as the councillor who had had so much to say and also that he was responsible for one of the letters in the local paper. He had not written a letter on the subject and challenged the brgade to back their assertion with £5 wbicli he would cover and the sum to go to the hospital if they could prove r’icir allegation. The brigade, had made a laughing stock of itself through the inefficiency of its plant. The equip .1.-mt had been removed from the Town Hal., leaving only,a burst hose. When the superintendent of fire, brigades was in Patea he had kicked the soft tyres on the engine had said ‘‘•So this is the way they look after their gear.” Firemen replied that that was news to them. Cr. Scott: It came from a member of the brigade. A discussion of remedial procedure followed the engineer’s report on the engine, it being decided that an overhaul of the engine to the satisfaction of the brigade be made by the borough engineer.