LAST SESSION'S WORK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LV, Issue 8612, 20 November 1906, Page 7

LAST SESSION'S WORK.

New Legislation.

The Fire Brigades Bill.

One of the measures which particularly affects municipalities generally is the Fire Brigades Act, which, after having been before Parliament for several years, has at last found its way on to the statute-book. The Act will not be absolutely operative •until May of next year, and meanwhile a general sketch of its provisions will enable the public to obtain an idea of the altered conditions which will then obtain in regard to the management and upkeep of fire brigades. Under the Act the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch.and Dunedin ■are each constituted what is called a fire district,, each being placed under the control of a Fire Board, consisting of seven members—one appointed by the Governor, three elected by the insurance companies, and three elected by the local authority. So far the four centres are the only fire districts constituted, but power is given to the Governor-in-Council to declare any other part of the colony to be a fire district. The election of the board will take place in May next, and in the same month every succeeding year, and the board must hold at least four meetings a year, in June, September, December, and March. On or before the 30th of June in every year the Board will have to submit to the Minister for his approval an estimate of the probable expenditure necessary for the administration of the Act in its district for the following year, and, when approved, the amount will be paid in the following proportion :—The Government will contribute a share based on the assumption that its property in the district is subject to the payment of rates ; the remainder will be contributed in equal proportions by the insurance companies insuring properties within the fire district, and by the local authority. The amounts will be paid quarterly. The amount payable by each insurance company will be pro rata to its gross premium receipts for the previous year. The local authority may either pay its share out of the general rate or strike a separate rate for the purpose, not exceeding a penny in the pound on the annual rateable value of the rateable property in the district. In the case of rateable property on which there are no buildings the separate rate will only be half the rate levied. In districts where the system of rating on unimproved values is in force the rate will be made and levied on the value of the buildings, and not on the value of the land. It will be the duty of the board to establish and maintain efficient fire brigades, and to provide such buildings and equipment as may be neces

sary. The board aud its officers will have the use of all water mains, water plugs, and valve pipes belonging to the local authority, free of charg6, for fire extinguishing purposes or for the purpose of drills, but will be responsible to the local authority for any damage wilfully or negligently caused by the board or its officers. The board's balance-sheets will be laid before Parliament each year. It also has authority to establish a salvage corps, the services of which must not be charged for. Very extensive powers are given to the superintendent of the brigade in dealing with fires, and it is the duty of the police to render him assistance in the performance of bis duty. The Act also empowers the Governor to appoint an inspector and and deputy inspector of fire brigades, whose salaries will be paid by Parliament. The Governor may also declare that any two or more fire districts forming a continuous area shall form one united fire district, and the Act further provides that new fire districts may be declared on the application of a local authority supported by a poll of the ratepayers or on the ratepayers' petition. Existing fire brigades will come under the control of the Board, and land and buildings vested in it, and the board will pay to the local authority rental at the rate of £4 10s on the capital value. The board will Also take over all plant and appliances at a price fixed either by agreement or arbitration. Finally, the Act provides that all public buildings must be provided with fire ■escapes to the satisfaction of the superintendent. If they are not so provided they cannot be licensed by the local authority, and any one who uses any building in defiance of this provision is liable to a fine not exceeding £50.