FIRE BOARD AFFAIRS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18926, 21 April 1933, Page 6

FIRE BOARD AFFAIRS.

CONTROL IN HAMILTON.

YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED. OUTBREAKS BEYOND BOROUGH. Another successful year of adminislering Hamilton’s fire-fighting facilities and services was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Hamilton Fire Board yesterday. Dr. F. D. Pinfold presided, and there were also present Messrs H. Malcolm and A. E. Moore, of Auckland, representing the insurance companies, and T. B. Booth, W. Bourne, F. W. Luxford (secretary) and Superintendent A. Craig, of the Central Fire Station. Dr. Pinfold was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year.

A tribute to the valuable services rendered to the board toy Mr J. Gilbert, who resigned from the office of chairman last year, was paid by Mr H. Malcolm, who referred to the good work done toy Mr Gilbert during his association with the board. The speaker moved that appreciation: of the late chairman’s services should toe recorded, and a copy sent to 'Mr Gilbert, a resolution which was supported byMr Booth, and unanimously adopted.

In a report covering the activities of the finance committee since September of last year it was stated that the old syren had been sold to the Thames Borough Council and the purchase of the syren from the Railway Department had been completed without any expense to the board. Fires Outside Board’s District. Referring to fires outside the board's district the committee recommended that the superintendent should be instructed to refrain from proceeding beyond the boundaries of the fire district in response to any calls received by him. It was also recommended: — "That in the opinion of this board fire protection Is necessary for closely settled areas immediately outside the boundary of-the Hamilton borough and that negotiations should be opened with the contiguous local authorities with a view to entering into an agreement for the protection from fire of a part of the district of such local authority or authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 of the Fire Brigades Amendment Act, 1932.”

There was some discussion on these recommendations and the finance committee “was authorised to obtain legal opinion on the question of giving the superintendent a certain amount of latitude where calls to fires outside the borough were concerned. The report of the committee was adopted.

Brigade Administration

Details of the administration of the brigade and figures covering its operations were given by Superintendent Craig. From September 22, 1932 to April 4, 1933, the brigade received 33 calls he said. Twenty were property flres (three of which were outside the board's area), 11 grass, gorse and peat flres, and two false alarms, neither of which was. maliciously given.

The present strength ot the brigade is 25, and includes the superintendent, deputy-superintendent, one foreman, three permanent motormen-flremen, 18 auxiliary firemen .and one watchroom attendant. The superintendent, three firemen, four auxiliary firemen and one watchroom attendant reside at the central station. Regular fortnightly drills have 'been held, with good attendances. Mr Craig submitted -a table covering the running of the brigade’s four motor appliances. Since September 22, 1932 they had covered 776 miles, and consumed 176 ballons of benzine.

“At the present time 4700 feet of hose is available for fire fighting, 500 feet of which is unreliable and only fit for drill purposes,” he said. “I would therefore recommend that 500 feet be purchased during the coming year.” The report was adopted.

Fires In Hamilton.

Some interesting facts relating to fire-fighting in Hamilton were given by Mr Craig in the twentieth annual report of the brigade’s work and other activities.

“The number of calls to fires and supposed fires for the year has been 59, a decrease of 11 as compared with the previous year. Of these 25 were property fires, the remainder of the calls were: 6 gorse and refuse fires, 7 peat, 10 chimney fires, 5 false alarms, two of which were maliciously given, and 6 fires outside the board’s area,” said Mr Craig. “In connection with I lie two malicious false alarms, a schoolboy 10 years of age was apprehended by the police, and dealt wilh by the Juvenile Court. During the year two persons received burns at fires before the arrival of the brigade. These two cases received first aid treatment from members of the brigade, one case being sent to the public hospital for medical treatment. The most serious fire during I lie 12 months occurred on August 21, I <kp> in A. 0. Forbes’ billiard saloon, Frank ton Junction, and the person who was found guilty of arson in connection wilh the fire was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. This dbreak was responsible for over one-third of the total tire losses for the year. The insurances on buildings

and contents where fires occurred amounted to £31,167 and the losses on buildings and contents covered by Insurance were £3,178, and the loss on uninsured property was £2lO, making the total losses by fire £3388. "The whole of the buildings, plant -and equipment have been maintained in a thoroughly satisfactory condition •and are in first olass order. The street fire alarm boxes have been painted. The system has been regularly tested and kept in good order and condition and it continues to give every satisfaction.

Borough Water Retloulatlon.

"During the year several extensions have been carried out in the water mains. Some of these extensions were on the outskirts of the borough where mains were necessary, and I am pleased to report that nothing -under four inch mains have been laid. The new reservoir with a capacity of 2,600,000 gallons-is now in commission .and although this has not yet been filled to its full capacity the pressure has increased 201 b as compared with the old reservoir. The pressure gauge at the fire station new shows a steady reading of 631 b per square inch. “The discipline of the brigade has been fully maintained iand the attendances at flres and drills have been entirely satisfactory. ' I desire .to tender my thanks to the fire board also the secretary, for the consideration given' to all matters concerning the welfare and efficiency of the brigade. I have also to' thank the officers and meriibers of the Fire Police Corps, police force, and the various departments of the Borough Council for their valuable' assistance. Both officers and members of the brigade have worked harmoniously together in , carrying out their various duties and I hope the same have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the board.’’ The report was adopted. Inspectloij of Theatres. Reporting on his inspection of theatres and public, halls in Hamilton, Mr Craig said. that the equipment and fire escapes in these were dn good order. In reply to Dr. Pinfold, who asked whether it was possible for any fire -extinguishers to explode, a 3 had recently secured with fatal results in another town, Mr Craig said he did not think, this was likely to happen. The accident mentioned had probably been caused by corrosion at the nozzle of -the extinguisher. The statement of accounts disclosed a satisfactory result -from the year’s working, and was adopted. The draft estimates of expenditure for the ensuing year were considered, and, with minor amendments, were approved. The figures submitted showed that the expenditure for the past year was nearly £IOO below’the amount provided for. Reductions on the previous budget for a number of items were shown in the estimates for the coming twelve months, tout additional expenditure -of £IOO allowed for new tyres, brought the total estimates toil figure slightly in excess of -the total for the previous twelve months. The finance committee for the ensuing year was elected as follows: Dr. F. D. Pinfold, and Messrs W. Bourne and "T. B. Booth.