FIRE FIGHTING

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8606, 21 April 1934, Page 2

FIRE FIGHTING

ANNUAL MEETING OF WAIH! BOARD THE YEAR'S ACTIVITIES BRIGADE COMPLIMENTED The annual meeting of the Waihi Fire Board was held on Wednesday evening, the Government nominee, Mr W. Ellerington, presiding. There were also present: Messrs H. V. Tregear and W. Skegg (Auckland members) and Messrs J. J. Callaghan and A. T. Maunder (borough nominees). The secretary, Mr I. T. Fallwell, and the superintendent, Mr W. E. Roberts, were also in attendance.

In submitting his report the superintendent stated that he had examined the plant and gear and had found it in good working order. During the year there had been 24 calls: Five false alarms; two to chimney fires; nine to scrub fires, and eight to actual fires. Insurances were as follows, the damage done being given in parentheses: Buildings, £2ol"> (£199 10s); stock, £1554 4s (£412 17s lOd); furniture, £435 (£16 j); contents of gasworks building, £?CS (£l7O 7s Gd); Waihi Grand Junction Gold Company, on buildings, pumps, etc., £I3OO (nil). "Since my last report'we have had two resignations, the members leaving Waihi, and the vacancies have been filled, so that the brigade is now at full strength," continued Mr Roberts. Five hundred feet of hose had come to hand, tho couplings attached, and was nuw ready for use. The weekly shed and street practices had been carried out, the attendances being very go;,d at both fires and practices. He thanked the board for the courtesy shown and the good feeling that existed between the board and the brigade.

"VERY SATISFACTORY" "It is very satisfactory," remarked Mr Tregear, who moved that the report be received. He was seconded by Mr Maunder. Mr Skegg referred to the number of false alarms. The secretary said two or three of these had been due to electrical defects. Only two seemed to have been given maliciously. Mr Skegg asked whether the fire in the Sterling Stores had been due to burglary. Mr Fallwell said it seemed that the fire had been caused by the bursting into flame of the kapok mattresses and other material which had been used to pack the safe when it was being blown open. "Are there a lot of unemployed about?" inquired Mr Skegg.

Mr Fallwell said the work was done probably by strangers who had been stranded in Waihi. Waihi had the reputation of being one of the best towns financially in New Zealand. "It was the work of strangers," said Mr Callaghan.' The report was received. COMMITTEE REPORT The local committee reported that hose to the value of £4 5 had been ordered and received, as well as the usual supplies. All accounts due by the board had been paid before March 31st, 1934. It was recommended that a light be installed in the back shed of the fire station. Mr E. R. Morgan reported that the alarm system generally was in good order, but there were certain defects caused by the sagging of lines. It was decided to buy suitable cable to replace the faulty lengths. The secretary stated that premiums for the year were £2577 3s 3d, compared with £27IS 14s 6d for the previous year, a decrease of more than £240. This was due largely to rebates. .Estimates for the ensuing year, amounting to £SS6, were approved.