SOURCE OF DANGER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 56, 8 March 1939, Page 8

SOURCE OF DANGER

BARGAIN BASEMENTS NO EXITS PROVIDED CONCERN OF FIRE BRIGADES The danger to human life in the event of a fire in a bargain basement was the discussion at the annual conference of the New Zealand Fire Brigade Officers’ and Members’ Institute at Wanganui yesterday. The conference viewed the position with alarm and decided to bring the matter under the notice of the proper authorities. The matter was raised by Fireman R. Fletcher (Auckland), who said that many large departmental stores had basements where articles of a highly inflammable nature were on display. During busy shopping periods these basements were crowded with shoppers and the only exit was the entrance. It only needed a burning match head or a cigarette butt to ignite a celluloid article. Superintendent W. L. Wilson, of the Auckland City Brigade, said he had already noted the matter and brought it before the notice of the Public Safety Committee in that city. The matter was very serious. Places of amusement were licensed for a certain number of people and had to provide suitable exit for use in the event of a fire, but large business emporiums could store all kinds of highly inflammable goods in a store and there was nothing to say that reasonable exits should be provided for the public. He had brought the matter before lhe managers of several stores and demonstrated to them the danger of fire. "Should a fire occur in one of these basements during a busy time I shudder to think what would happen.” said Superintendent Wilson. Fireman Fletcher moved that the executive should bring the matter under the notice of the responsible authorities. This was seconded and carried.

ACCIDENT SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING HELD FINANCES SHOW IMPROVEMENT. There was a large attendance of delegates at the 47th. annual meeting of the United Fire Brigades Accident Assurance Society, Superintendent R. Henderson (Hastings) presiding. The annual report, which was adopted was as follows: “In presenting the forty-seventh annual report and balance-sheet of the United Fire Brigades’ Association Accident Assurance Society, the executive have to state that there has been an increase in the amount paid for accident claims. The detailed list of claims submitted by the secretary will enable the delegates to see how the money has been disbursed. It will be noticed thai there were 32 claims during the year and benefits were distributed between 19 brigades. “We have to report that the Manaia and Mosgiel brigades, with a membership of 25, joined the society during the year, and the Marton and Otaki brigades, with 20 members. withdrew. This leaves our roll at 107 brigades. The membership totalled 1802. an’increase of 23 on last year. Two brigades with approximately 3.3 members, were unftnancial at the end of the year. All have since paid up. “The Accident Fund Receipts, including balance of £2927 13s 3d. contributions £270 2s, interest £75 3s 6d and £lB 15s <amount transferred from Management Fund under rule 26) were £3291 13s. and the expenditure on accident claims was £238 7s 6d 'an ing a balance to the credit of the accident fund of £3053 6s 3d. an increase of £125 1.35. “The Management Fund receipts including a balance from last year of £94 14s w ere £209 ss. and the expenditure. including the amount transferred to the accident fund was £ll4 Ils, leaving a credit balance of £94 14s, which is the maximum allowed by the rules. “The total accumulated funds now to the credit of the society is £3148 0s 3d, as against £2927 13s 3d. being an increase of £125 13s. The affairs of the society are being extremely well managed, as the above figures show. “In reply to enquiries received from brigades, it has been ruled that any members on th? accident assurance fund are not eligible to travel to conferences and demonstrations. Members doing so automatically cancel their benefits. “There is a tendency for members to travl by aeroplanes to our annual meetings, but your executive wish to point out that this method of travelling does not come under the risks of the society, and members travelling by aeroplane are not entitled to any benefits whilst so doing. “The executive would point out to delegates that with ever-increasing number of motor reels being introduced into the service, and the enormous of motor traffic generally, our accident hazards are naturally becoming greater, and it behoves ail brigades to exercise the greatest caution at all times lo safeguard the welfare of their members. “We have again to compliment officers of brigades for their zealous attention to business, no disputes of any kind having occurred during the year. The following officers were elected: President, Superintendent W. H. Stokes (New Brighton); vice-presi-dents, Superintendent J. Morl land fTaihape' and secretary L. O. Wallis Osborne (Onehunga); treasurer, Cap(Gore), treasurer, secretary C. A. tain T. J. Watts (Newmarket); immediate past vice-bresident, Superintendent R. Henderson (Hastings).

r FIRE PREVENTION WEEK CONTINUATION DESIRED , EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT i An instruction to the executive to approach the Government to have : Fire Prevention Week reintroduced i was decided on at the annual confer--1 ence of the United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand at Wanganui yesterday. The question was brought forward by Superintendent W. L. Wilson 'Auckland*, who mentioned that there had been a reduction in the fire loss during the years when Fire Prevention Week was held. Since the educational week had been dropped the loss was rising again. Fire Prevention Week had become an annual i fixture in the U.S.A, and had had a I very good effect in lessening the I amount of damage done by fire. He I would like to know if the association i intended to carry on the good work I which involved a large amount of or- : ganisation. 1 The secretary, Captain Watts, said ! that the Department of Internal AfI faits had found the week too big and ; had asked the association to take it j over. The organisation of Fire Fre- ' venlion Week was a tremendous task and could best be handled by the deIpartment, which could secure men I from other- departments. ihe association had asked the department how much it cost to run the week, hut had not yet. been given the information. I Another delegate suggested a film 'should be tak'*n showi.iz the cajses •of fire and circulated through New : Zealand. This would be a much ‘cheaper means of propaganda. The president. Secretary D. 1,. Fer‘guson 'Gisborne) said that the association could not go any further until • it. learned from the Department of • Internal Affairs the cost of running : the week. ; The Hon. B. C. Robbins, M.L.C., a ’ past president, said that Fire Prevention Week was too important a matter to be allowed to drop and, by resolution, the conference could ask the Department of Internal Affairs to continue the week. It was his contention that the week should be organised by the Government, which could secure assistance from the insurance companies which would gain by a decrease in the amount of fire damage. On the motion of Mr. H. L. Follas 'a past president*, seconded by Superintendent W. H. Stokes (Nev/ Brighton) it was decided that the i executive should approach the Government with a request that Fire ’ Prevention Week be continued.

INSTITUTE AFFAIRS ANNUAL MEETING HELD NEV. OFFICERS ELECTED There was a large attendance of delegates at the eighth annual conference of the New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Officers and Members’ Institute. Superintendent W. L. Wilson 'Auckland? presiding. In extending a welcome to the delegates. Superintendent Wilson said that during the year several members had passed the examination and to these he extendeed his congratulations. A high standard had been displayed in the examinations. The value of the institute diploma was increasing e;t<h year because of the greater opportunities of promotion. Superintendent Wilson said that when new industries were opened up as a result, of the import legislation there would be an increased fire risk. Firemen should keep in touch with every new industry to increase his efficiency. Extra work would also be given to the brigades in air raid precaution instruction. Instruction was already being given in the major cent res. “I think that the flay has arrived when there should be no difference between volunteer tiremen and the permanent men. We should all be a happy family beecause we are doing the same work. The following papers were delivered to the conference: ■■Electrical Hazards of Particular Interest to all Firemen and a Few Precautionary Measures Which Should be Taken During Operations at an Outbreak of Fire,” by Fireman F. Appleton and Fireman R. Powell, Waverley. “Benzine. Its Dangers and Precautions Required Whilst Handling,’ by Fireman W. E. Mathieson. Hamilton. ’Methods of Reducing Damage by Water/’ by Secretary S. Hague, member N.Z.F. Institute, Hamilton. ‘‘Covering Exposures,” by Fireman J. E. McConnell, member N.Z.F.B. Institute. Auckland. "Air Raid Precautions/’ by Fireman A. W. A. Crook, member N.Z.F.B. Institute, Auckland. "Causes of Fires/’ by FiremanDriver 1.. R. G. Haslem (Auckland). The following officers were elected: President. Superintendent W. L. Wilson < Auckland); vice-presidents, Superintendents A. Morrison (Christchurch City\ R. H. Price (Dunedin City), A. Craig (Hamilton), H. E. Follas (Devon port), A. J. Bennett 'Nelson l , and C. A. Wooley (Wellington »: executive committee. Superintendants T. Anderson (Rotorua). P. Deere (Greymouth). J. W. Kaine (Gisborne). C. W. Tyler (Rangiora). and H. J. Price (Hastings); treasurer. Secretary C. A. Osborne (Onehunga); secretary. Captain T. J. Watts; scientific and research committee, Superintendents W. L. Wilson, C. A. Woolley. A. Morrison. A. Craig, and H. E. Follas. Photographs of church parade and those taken at Central Station obtainable Tesla Studios.* Tesla Studios have been appointed official photographer to Fire Brigade Conference and Demonstrations.*

UNIQUE record MINUTE SECRETARY FOR 25 YEARS MR. J. R. WILSON HONOURED To have kept the minutes of the association’s conferences for 24 years without a break, is the record of Deputy-Superintendent J. R. Wilson, of Milton, who again acted as. minute secretary at the 60th. annual conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand, which concluded at St. Paul's Hall yesterday. Deputy-Superintendent Wilson .was presented with a fountain pen by <he president, Secretary D. L. Ferguson 'Gisborne), on behalf of (he execu-Deputy-Superintendent Wilson said that he was attending his 25th. conference and had kept the minute books for the past 24 years. He had started the present book at the conference at Invercargill in 3 919, and every record in» the book was in his own handwriting. He was proud of the fact that his minutes had never been questioned Deputy-Superintendent Wilson added that he had acted as field sec- : ret ary at every conference with the {exception of the year when he held the presidential office.

GOLD STARS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE NINE AWARDS MADE ’ Gold stars, the highest award ■granted to firemen, were presented to I nine officers at yesterday afternoon's session of the conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand, by the Hon. B. C. Robbins. M.L.C. (Tauranga), an ex-president and the “father” of the association. In presenting the stars, Mr. Robi bins said that he had enjoyed the conI ference and the opportunity it afforded him of renewing acquaintance with many old friends and the making of new friends. At the first conference he was the baby, but to-day he was the old man of the association. Every man owed a service to the community. and firemen were rendering their service in the safeguarding of life and property from damage by tire. There could be no higher ideal. The recipients of the gold stars were .1. C. Allfrey (Temuka) A. J. Bennett. (Nelson), T. Dumbleton • Greymouth?, F. Groufsky (Hokitika*, E. W. Hills <Rangiora>, A. McKellar I (Alexandria), G. Nelson 1 Greymouth), iJ. H. O'Neill (Sumner) and H. D. Smart (Gore).

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OFFICERS ELECTED The annual conference of the t'nited Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand was concluded yesterday. Secretary D. L. Fergusson 'Gisborne' presiding. The following officers were elected lor the year: —President. Superintendent, C. H. Carey (Palea); vicepresidents, Deputy-Superintendent A. White (Greymouth) and Secretary H. 1.. Warner 'Hawera'; treasurer, Secretary C. A. Osborne (OnehungaC