WAIHI FIRE BOARD

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9206, 7 April 1938, Page 2

WAIHI FIRE BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS HELD EFFICIENCY OF BRIGADE WATER PRESSURE IN BOROUGH

The annual meeting of the Waihi Fire Board was held on Tuesday evening, the chairman, Mr J. J. Callaghan, presiding. There were also present: Messrs H. V. Tregear and W. Skegg (Auckland members) and W. Bice (Government nominee). The secretary, Mr I. T. Fallwell, and the brigade superintendent, Mr W. E. Roberts, were in attendance. An apology for absence was received from Mr J. F. Robertson.

The superintendent reported that during the year the brigade had received 25 calls, seven being to actual tires, nine to scrub fires, two to chimney fires and one to a motorcar that had become ablaze. Six false alarms had been received. Insurances on the properties concerned were as follows, the fire loss in each case being given in parentheses: On buildings, £11,325 (£1922 8s Gd); on furniture, £1770 (£190): on stock and fittings, £7120 (£2OBS 14s 3d). Total: £20,215 (£4207 2s 9d). “I regret to state that the fire losses have been unusually heavy during the past season, although the brigade has maitnained its full strength and efficiency,” continued Mr Roberts. “During the year we have had three j resignations for various reasons. The : vacancies have been filled, and now j the brigade is at full strength. The ■ brigade sent, a delegate to the annual i New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Conference at New Plymouth, and a liveman team to compete at Pukekohe. The team was not successful in carry ing off any prizes. I had the honour of acting in an official capacity at Pukekohe. Since my last report two additional plugs have been placed in two different streets (Roberts Street and Robin Street). In conclusion I have to state that everything is going on satisfactorily.” Mr Skegg drew attention to the number of false alarms. There had not been, he trusted, a repetition of the state of affairs that existed a few years ago, when many alarms had been maliciously given and the epidemic had ceased only when some young men had been heavily fined. The superintendent said there was no suggestion of any recurrence. All the false alarms could be satisfactorily accounted for. The report was adopted.

TRIBUTES TO BRIGADE

Reporting for the quarter ended March 31, the local committee stated that thfe usual station stores had been ordered and received, and minor repairs to the station and fire fighting gear had been completed. Accounts amounting to £225 13s lOd had been paid before the end of the financial year, leaving a credit balance of £77 14s Sd in the board’s banking, account.

Before asking someone to move the adoption of the report, the chairman said he would take the opportunity of remarking on the manner in which the brigade had coped with the lire that destroyed the Academy Theatre and gravely threatened adjoining buildings, particularly the Golden Cross Hotel. The work of the men called for comment. He had been at the fire from start to finish, and if gave him pleasure to report on the successful manner in which they had dealt with a difficult situation. The heat had been terrific, and he thought the board should congratulate the brigade. The main building of the Golden Cross Hotel had been alight no fewer than five times, and the fire assessors had told him that it was one of the greatest saves in their experience. “It was one more instance of the efficiency of the Waihi Fire Brigade,” concluded Mr Callaghan. “I should like to make that comment because I think the superintendent and the men are justly entitled to it.” Mr Roberts thanked the chairman for his remarks and said he was quite satisfied the board would always get willing work from the brigade. I

On the motion of Mr Bice, second- I ed by Mr Tregear, it was decided toj send a letter to the brigade expressing appreciation of its splendid service in connection with the fire. “It could have been little short of marvellous work that saved the Golden Cross and other places from going up in smoke,” commented Mr Tregear. IMPROVING PRESSURE AT FIRES The question of making provision for the purchase of an auxiliary pumping engine was raised by the superintendent when the estimates were before the meeting. Ho considered the time had arrived when the board should go into the matter. Such an addition to the plant, which would probably cost in the vicinity of £7O, should prove invaluable where there were only small mains, or where the only water supply was from a nearby stream, such as was the case at the Waihi Beach. : Mr Tregear: Have you the idea of a pump to be attached to the tireengine?—Yes. 1

Mr Skegg: 1 do not see what good a •ump would be until wo have got baler than two-inch mains. The Bor-

ough Council has done nothing to remedy the position; it always maintains that it cannot afford to do so. Until we have better mains no brigade could do anything; Waihi will always be in a state of hazard. file chairman said (lie whole mat-

ter ot water supply would be considered at the next meeting of the council. Mr Skegg moved that a letter be sent to the council drawing attention to the position. This was seconded by Mr Tregear and carried. It was turther decided to write to the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Mr R. Girling Butcher, asking hjs opinion as to whether the acquisition of a pump was advisable in view of the reticulation of the borough. Pile estimates as submitted, which provided for an expenditure of £6lO. were approved. “They seem to have been very carefully compiled,” remarked Mr Skegg.