FIRE BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17587, 17 December 1928, Page 8

FIRE BOARD.

MEETING AT TE AWAMUTU

INSPECTOR HUGO'S REPORT. At the final meeting this year of the Te Awarnutu Fire Board Ihere were present Messrs F. H. Vile, C. A. Rcilly, 1). McArthur and G. Ncvill. The superintendent, Mr T. Narbey, was in attendance. The quarterly report of the superintendent stated that the usual practices had been held and the attendances had been very good. Inspector Hugo inspected the brigade on November 26. The attendance was very poor, but hi seemed pleased with the turn-out. A report on public halls showed: — | Empire Theatre: All fire-escapes and exits are in good order. The two exits downstairs should have the "fireescape" on them as a guide to the public. I think it is absolutely necessary that firemen be on duty at all plays, concerts and pictures on Wednesday and Saturday nights, also any specials, so as to stop over-crowding and keep all passageways clear. Town Hall: This is a very old hall and has no exits. I think a fireman should be on duty here also on special nights. 1 recommend the fire-escape opening into Herbert Street. Parish Hall: This is a medium-sized hall used mostly for church affairs and small dances. It has three doors opening outside and is quite all right providing the users do not block one or more doors with lumber and decorations. Presbyterian Hall: This is a new concrete building, used only for church affairs. It has three doors leading outside. Everything all right. Methodist Hall: This is verysmall and old and has two doors leading outside, one at each end. Used for church affairs mostly. Oddfellows Hall: This is a small hall used for lodge and small functions. lias one door only; quite all right for purpose used. The motor and gear is in good order and repair. Inspector Hugo's Report.

An inspection of the Te Awarnutu brigade and its equipment was made on November 26, when at the inspection muster the superintendent, deputy and eight firemen present, not a good attendance. The inspection drills were carried out in a very willing and satisfactory manner and the equipment was found'in good order. Quite a good allround improvement. Observation should be kept to sec whether the present firebell is ineffective as a means of calling the members of the brigade, to the extent of accounting for the lowaverage attendance at fire calls during the past year, and, if so, I would recommend Ihc installation or an elec-trically-operated siren in place of the bell, the siren to be connected by direct wire lo a switch fixed in the telephone exchange room, so I hat when an alarm of lire is received at the exchange by telephone the operator will immediately switch on the siren. The opinion was expressed that poor attendance at fire calls was probably due to hand-ringing, as the heavy bell required by an experienced man. The superintendent said several of the firemen arc working a distance away and could not hear the bell. To that, the inspector said, it may be lecessary lo get more firemen or choose ones who live and work near at hand. Mr Ncvill moved that the report bo received. The time must come when

a siren would be installed. The superintendent, said the cost of an electric siren would be £O6. He had offered to install a pelton wheel for £lO. That would be an Improvement, though not so good as a siren driven electrically. The motion was carried.

Ohaupo Road Area. Correspondence between the board and the Waipa County Council on the subject of tire brigade supervision of the Ohaupo Road area, just outside the borough, was read. The county clerk had written that a committee had been sot up lo confer with the Fire Board, but this committee had not met. The secretary said he had discussed the matter with the county clerk, who voiced 'a suggestion that the local members of the board should confer with the council's committee. He thought that the residents in the area should move in the matter, as it was hardly one for the whole of the Rangiaohia riding.

Mr Nevill suggested that inquiry be made from Hamilton as to the position just outside the boundary of the borough, as residents there are in the same position as those in the Ohaupo road area.

The superintendent mentioned that if a fire occurred in part of the Ohaupo road area the brigade would not have enough hose to deal with it.

The statement of finances showed a credit balance of £I2G 17s, and accounts to pay £37 Is 7d. The statement was received and the accounts passed for payment.

The roll of attendances of firemen at practices was read and accepted.

Mr Nevill commented on the satisfactory attendance of firemen at the only fire during the quarter. There was only one absentee without leave, but his attendances at practices was below par. If was decided to express concern at the slackness of the one member, and to call his attention to the need for improvement.

Demonstration. . The superintendent informed Mr Nevill that the South Auckland demonstration would take place at Te Awamutu at the end of March. The Dominion conference and demonstration was scheduled for early in March at Ilokitika. It was hoped to send a team there, consisting of three men. Discussion arose over a contribution towards the cost of the trip, the expense being estimated at £3O. It was proposed to vote £ls towards the cost, of representation. Members were prepared to subsidise the expense of the local demonstration, and after discussion the matter of the amount of a contribution was left to the local committee to determine, Mr Nevill stating that the insurance representatives were lully in accord with subsidising renresenfation. The Drigaclo was advised that it should render ils account for attendance at pictures and other entertainments at the Umpire Theatre to the proper quarter, with a Jotter explaining the circumstances. *

Some discussion arose re that portion of the report dealing' with the attendance of brigades at public hails during entertainments, ami the following resolution was tabled: "That a copy of the superintendent's report regarding the safely of public halls he forwarded lo the borough council drawing attention lo his recommendation regarding firemen being on duly, with a request that this lie embodied in the conditions of the license."—The motion was carried unanimously.