CONFUSING SIRENS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20915, 21 September 1939, Page 11

CONFUSING SIRENS

USE BY PRIVATE FIRMS SUGGESTION OF BY-LAW Arising out of a discussion at Ihe last meeting of the Hamilton Fire Board when a complaint was received concerning the- use by private firms of sirens similar to that employed by Ihe fire brigade, a letter from the borough solicitors, Messrs Swarbrick, was received at a meeting of the Borough Council last night. The letter dealt with the suggestion that a by-law might be introduced to prohibit the use by private firms of sirens which would confuse the fire brigade. •*We have considered the question and there does not appear to be any clause in the Municipal Corporations Act under which such a by-law could be made, unless it be under the general clauses, and it is always dangerous to act under these clauses unless similar by-laws are at present in operation,” stated the letter. "We cannot find that there is any such bylaw in the larger centres. "It would also appear that Section 67 of the Fire Brigade Act, 1926, is applicable. We think that an offence would be committed under that section if a person persisted in using a siren which so closely resembled a fire alarm as to mislead the fire brigade. If there exist, in Hamilton sirens which arc liable to mislead the brigade the owners should lie warned, and if they persist in using the sirens steps should he taken to prosecute under Section 67 of Hie Fire Brigade Act.” It was decided, on the motion of the Mayor. Mr 11. D. Caro, to advise the Fire Board in terms of the borough solicitors' report. The Mayor presided over the meeting, and also present were: —Messrs W. M. Gann. G. Groall, W. \Y. Dillicar, F. Findlay, J. R. Fow, 11. M. Hammond, K. G. House. G. Lafferty, R. McCaw, T. G. Reynolds. W. R. Shattock. J. E. Tidd and the borough executive officers