FIRE RISK

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20785, 21 April 1939, Page 9

FIRE RISK

ROTORUA HOSPITAL INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY “SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC’’ The inadequacy of the water supply at the Rotorua Hospital came in for further discussion at the monthly meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board to-day when a report on the tire-fighting measures at the institution was received from the board's architects, Messrs Edgecumbe and White. The chairman, Mr ( F. Findlay, presided, and also present were Mrs H. M. Wilson, Messrs W. R. Lowry, J. Price, S. G. B. Macky, R. Eyre, G. Smith, T. Hinton, H. M. Marlin, J. Banks, T. G. Reynolds, N. H. Beatson. F. Potts, W. ‘ Morrice, I)r. M. M. Hoc-kin (medical superintendent), and Messrs A. C. Burgess (secretary) and J. H. Edgecumbe architect . “We should not lose sight of the fact that we must have an adequate supply of water at the institution in the case of an emergency,'’ said Mr Banks. "I have been advised that at limes the pressure of the water is not even enough to raise the ball-cock. The pressure is low in the summer, and that is just the time when we si ouM be prepared for an outbreak of fire. By hammering away at this matter until the position is put right we will he doing a great service, not only to the hospital, but to the public at large.'’ Suggestions for Improvement A letter from the Tourist Department, Rotorua, submitted proposals to ensure that a supply of water should always be available for firefighting purposes at an estimated cost of £SO, and advised that the matter of the controlling reservoir was in the hands of the Public Works Department. “We are already paying for the water wc use and 1 do not see why we should be asked to pay £SO for valves, as proposed by the Tourist Department," said Mr ’Price. “That should be a matter for the Public Works Department." The chairman stressed the urgency of the matter, and stated that it was the board's responsibility to see that the Rotorua institution was well provided for with regard to fire-fighting. If the valves were not purchased the board might be sorry for it later on. The speaker did not think the Government would carry out the work. On the motion of Mrs Wilson it was decided to spend the £SO on the valves. The question of replacing the existing stand-pipes with fire-plugs to conform with other plugs throughout the borough was also contained in the architect's report, it being stated that 10 plugs, each costing. £5, would be needed. It was decided to purchase the plugs. The architects’ report, dealing with the water supply, Hie hospital buildings, and the fire alarm system, was read.