Fires In Open Are Prohibited Without Permits In Borough

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 96, 10 February 1950, Page 5

Fires In Open Are Prohibited Without Permits In Borough

The fierce scrui) fire, which has swept the cliff face above the Heads, Whakatane, during the past few days has directed attention on the 1 by-laws governing the lighting of fires in the borough. Whatever else they may be able to do residents in the borough have no authority to light any fires out in the open without first obtaining a permit from the town clerk.

Even if a permit is obtained there are still restrictions, because fires may then only be between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Brigade Inspection

Explaining this point yesterday, the town clerk, Mr L. D. Lovelock, said that permits had to be obtained first. No other fires could be lit in the open without one. In the case where it was wanted to use fire for burning off on any property application still had to be made for the permit. Before this was issued the land- had to be inspected by the superintendent of the Whakatane Volunteer Fire Brigade, who gave his decision to the town clerk. When the permit is issued it is made out in triplicate, one copy being kept by the clerk, one by the applicant and the third by the fire brigade. The brigade then has a record of persons permitted to light fires in the ’open. \ Mr Lovelock also pointed out that it was an offence to allow grass or scrub to reach the condition where it became a fire hazard on any property in the borough.