TAIHAPE FIRE BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 86, 13 April 1940, Page 2

TAIHAPE FIRE BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING HELD (Own Correspondent.) TAIHAPE, April 12. The annual meeting of the Taihape Fire Board was held last evening, Mr. E. Loader presiding over ine following members: Messrs. H. Dashwood, P. Kearins, E. B. Hayward, S. H. Bowden (Wanganui), W. Henson (secretary), and Superintendent Mortland.

The chairman referred to the death of Mr. M. J. Savage, late Prune Minister, who was described as one of nature’s gentlemen. I’he meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of deceased.

A welcome was extended to Mr. S. H. Bowden, who has succeeded Mr. G. R. Cramond as one of the representatives of the insurance companies on the board. Mr. Cramond is now a resident of Brisbane.

Superintendent Mortland reported that there was a leak in the skyiignt m the billiard room in the lire station and the meeting gave the secretary authority to have repairs carried out. The chairman reported tnat the board had finished the year with a credit balance of £22 os, which Mr. Hayward considered was quite satisfactory. Mr. Loader explained that the hose ordered during tne year had not yet come to hand. I’lc secretary I pointed out that it was difficult to procure hose these days, in answer to a question the superintendent said that the brigade had 1750 feet of hose on hand but they should have 2000 to 3000 feet of hose for the size of the borough. Estimates for the current year totalling £612 were adopted. Mr. L. C. Kincaid wrote thanking the board for informing him tnat he had been appointed its solicitor in succession to tne late Mr. W. H. MacLean and stating that he would be pleased to accept the appointment. Mr. Hayward read a letter which ht had received from the Underwriters’ Association asking for a more equitable method of distribution of Fire Board insurances and suggesting that the allotting of the insurances should be decided by ballot. Mr. Hayward moved that tne insurances of the Taihape Fire Board should be balloted for each year amongst insurance companies contributing to the Eire Board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bowden and carried, the meeting being of the opinion that this was tne fairest system to adopt. The chairman and Messrs. Dashwood and Kearins were appointed a sub-committee to conduct the ballot. Superintendent’s Annual Report. Superintendent Mortland presented his annual report as follows;—“During the year the brigade held 47 musters. There were 15 meetings, 20 practices, seven false alarms and five., fires. The average roll cal] at all musters was 15. On July IG, 1939, a

fire occurred at Mrs. R. Healey’s residence in Robin Street, Taihape, damage to the dwelling amounting to £lB 10s. On July 27 there was a lire at Mr. C. Quirk’s residence in Kiwi Road, lamage to the extent of £7 10s resulting. On August 5 a lire occurred in the Kunkel Rooms, Town Hall buildings, and damage to the floor to the extent of 12s 6d accrued. The total lire loss for the year was £26 12s 6d. There were seven false alarms during the year and they were caused mostly by faulty wiring in the lire station. The lire station has been rewired recently. . The following is my estimate for requirements for the ensuing year: 1500 ft. of 21-inch hose, one dress uniform and cap. The U.F.B.A. conference and demonstration was held at Petone early in March. The Taihape brigade did ml send a team to compete at tne demonstration. Deputy H. H. Codings attended as a delegate and I attended as senior vice-president of the accident insurance executive and was elected president for the ensuing year. The engine, plant and gear are all in good working order." The report was adopted. Fire Escapes in Public Buildings. Superintendent Mortland’s annual report on lire escapes in public buildings read as follows: "During the past month I have inspected tne following public buildings: Majestic Theatre, Regent Theatre and Town Hall. '1 lie Regent Theatre is badly in need of repairs to exit doors and stairs to circle, also lire

escape stairs on outside from circle. I have been given to understand that these repairs will be carried out as soon as possible. The lire escapes at the Majestic Theatre are ail in goou order. There is a lire extinguisher in the operating box and I would suggest that anothei- be procured and Kept near the ticket office. The lire escapes and exits at the Town Hall are all in good order, also the two first aid lire lighting appliances. The two lire extinguishers which I recommended twelve months ago have not yet been installed, although I believe they were ordered last week. The appliances in three buildings, in my opinion, are quite, sale from a lire point of view.” The report was adopted.

. The secretary was instructed t< write to the manager of the Regeni Theatre stating that tile accessary repairs to this theatre must be com pieted within a month.

On the motion of Mr. Dashwood, seconded by Mr. Hayward, Mr. Loader was re-elected chairman of tne board Mr. Hayward said tiiat members appreciated the way Mr. Loader conducted the meetings. Mr. Loader was always prompt and punctual and tilt board could not wish for a bettei chairman, said Mr. Hayward.