FIRE INSURANCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3570, 3 October 1916, Page 5

FIRE INSURANCE.

NEW RATES IN VOGUE

ONL¥ BUSINESS AREAS : AFFECTED.

• A few years ago, after the highpressure water supply had boon initaUed in the Ashburton Borough, the Borough Council made an application to the Fire Underwriters' Association ior a reduction in the insurance rates within the water reticulation area. At that time two experts visited Asii- . burton for .the purpose oi reporting upon the scheino and the value of the fire-fighting appliances available. One report was favourable and the other was riot, and in consequence the Underwriters' .Association decided not to jnake any reduction. . • In November last year the present council decided to take steps to renew the application, and a letter was sent >o the Underwriters 3 Association po^nt--,/ing out that the water pressure and At/he firo brigade appliances were quite . adequate to cope with any outbreaks that might take place in tho Borough. In its reply to ,the council's letter, the association stated that bofore any action . could be , taken it would • be^ ' necessary to obtain a report from. Superintendent' Q.. C. Warner, of . Christchurch. ' "j On Jarfuary 25 the council wrote to Superintendent" Warner and, asked '.'whether, ho would' be willing to visit \shburton and report upon the firefighting appliances . The report was in the affirmative, and the superintendent visited the Borough during January. In duo course his report camo before the council, and was considered favourable. In discussing the report, > Mr Gill, the council's engineer, pointed \ out that Superintendent' Warner had omitted to mention that thofmara fire risks in the Borough were situated between the pumping station and the water tower, which was a very important point to consider in regard to direct pressure. The council, on February- 29, wrote to the Underwriters' Association, pointing out the fact mentioned by Mr Gill, and also mentioning that the town had a plentiful supply ot: channel water,' and,that this supply could, in the case of large fires,* be utilised to supplement the high-pressure water supply. /The Underwriters' Association later 'wrote stating that tho report had been lieeeivod, together with the council's letter, and thai the matter of, fire rates would be considered. Since that date the council has not received any further communication from the association.

In May last ;i now schedule of fire insurance rates was issued by the insurance companies. ' This shows that while reductions -have been made in tho rates of insurances on'several brick buildings, rates in other instances rolnain the samp, and in some enfces have been increased.' The reduction applies only to a special fire block covering the business area, and does not affect the . residential- area. In compiling the new "schedule, tho rates have boon affected by various improvements . made by owners of property. A- perusal of "the rates ,shows' that in the majority of instances no alteration has been _ made, but this refers mainly to wooden buildings. In East Street a stable has been increased from 42s Gd to 47s 6d, while hnother stable has been reduced, from 23s 6d to 17s 6d. A building partially of .wood and partially of brick has been reduced from 59s 6d to 44s 6d. , Irt another instance where the nature of the industry carried on is subject to more risk by fire, the insurance rato has been increased from' 13s to 16s 6d. A cart-shed renewed in brick has been reduced from 20s to 12s 6d. In Burnett Street a brick building has been reduced from 13s 6d to 10s. Rates on bakehouses in various parts of the town have been reduced —in one instance from 16s to 13s, in another from 14s 6d/to 12s,.and in a third case from 18s to \l6s 6d. Several alterations have beejftjnade in tho special rates charged en/motor garnges, and where improvements have been made in Brick, reductions have been made accordingly. The rates on several workshops remain the same as before. . In some bulk stores a rediictiqn has been made from 14s Gd to 12s '6"d. Where goods such as kapoc are stored the rate has Ix'on increased from 27s to 33b fid. The rates on churches remain practically the same The schedule reveals one instance in which tho rate on a boilerhouse has been raised from 13s Od to 17s. „ . , The above figures, 'according *o the schedule, are subject to 10 por cent. reduction. ,-■•.' ;%