EQUIPMENT TO FIGHT FIRES COMING TO BULLS

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 November 1949, Page 6

EQUIPMENT TO FIGHT FIRES COMING TO BULLS

(Own Correspondent). The stage of a movement to obtain a modern and efficient first-aid unit to combat fires was made in Bulls last week when a full attendance of the Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade, under Superintendent J. A. Kemp, conferred with members of the Bulls Town Board. Mr. Rupert' Mackay, chairman of the Town Board, outlined the provisions of the new Act passed at the last session of Parliament insofar as they affected Bulls, and the brigade, after lengthy discussion, passed a resolution calling upon the Town Board to make application to the appropriate authorities to have the town declared a secondary fire district. It was mentioned that Mr. R. Girling Butcher, recognised as one of the leading authorities on fire brigade matters in the country, had visited Bulls and after conferring with the Town Board, had recommended the purchase of fire-fighting plant to the value of £1250. Because Bulls has no permanent water supply, Mr. Butcher had suggested utilising similar equipment to that used by the .A.P. in England during bombing raids, and had offered to reserve some from supplies coming from England. The brigade will require to obtain a section for a building to house the truck with its 450-gallon tank and high pressure pump. A new electricsiren that can be heard at least half a mile away against the wind is to be installed at the Post Office and in addition axes, helmets and similar gear are needed for the firemen. Messrs. C. W. Haycock and C. N. Hill were deputised to locate a suitable truck, and a small committee was set up to find a suitable section. In view of the extra expense likely to fall on the ratepayers it was decided to make a canvass of the area which the brigade will serve to obtain (Perhaps the establishment of an up-to-date fire fighting service might lend itself to popular conception of a suitable war memorial). The Town Board will discuss the whole matter at its meeting on Thursday night.