FIRE PROTECTION

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16984, 5 November 1920, Page 7

FIRE PROTECTION

1 THE OUTSIDE DISTRICTS. FIRE BOARD TO BE APPROACHED. A of representatives of local authorities adjacent to the City was held last night, to formulato a proposal to the Christcliurch Fire Board for giving protection to tho districts affected. The following delegates were present: Heathcoto County Council, Messrs G. M. Hall and G. K. Burton; lliccarton Borough Council, Messrs A. D. Ford and A. E. bteero; Spreydon] Borough Council, Messrs A. Manluro and M. Woodfield; Waimairi County Council, Messrs S. A. Staples, C. W. Hervey, and J. A. Uren. Mr A. 3>. Ford, Mayor of lliccarton, who presided, detailed what had been done in the past to' secure protection,! and said that if no arrangement could* bo made with the Firo Board as an. outcome of the present meeting, then . tho only alternative was for several of ■ the suburbs to join together and crcato a separate Firo Board with a- new nroi area. The public must be protected, | and protection could not be delayed any \ longer. The value of tho improvements in bpreydon Borough were approximatolv £410,000, in lliccarton Borough £378,000, HeathcOte-Cashmcre £138,GOO, and Fendalton-Papanui £230,000. Tho .figures did not include property free from rates, such a-a Government buildings, railway stations, schools, churches, etc. "Whatever was the ultimate result of the meeting, he sincerely hoped that all tho suburban areas would enjoy fire protection at a very early date. , ! Mr Hall said that when tho proposals were made by tho Fire Board some years ago the local authorities affected considered the cost involved too high, | and nothing resulted. The initial capital expenditure was £6780, with an estimated annual upkeep recurrent expenditure totalling £1120. i \ The chairman sdid the Fire Board had offered to provide a "flying squadron" for the use of the outside districts. The capital cost would be £' ; 000, and the districts would be liable for tho cost of the extra staff of eix. m Mr Hervey said the Fendalton people wanted lire protection, and were willing to pay for it. If tlie districts could not provide an adequate scheme for themselves, then they should see what they could get from the Chnstchurch . Fire Board. . „ , i Mr Manhire said that Spreydon. was not so much concerned with the cost as with the efficiency of tho service. That was tho reason the original proposal was turned down; there was no guarantee that full protection was possible. In any event, the insurance companies should contribute to the cost, either by a reduction of premiums or by sub-j '' Mr Hall proposed that a deputation should approach tho Firo Board to see what that body was prepared to do. He was satisfied, ho said, that the only satisfactory way was to work in with the Fire Board. • Mr Manhire suggested that the Board should be asked to quote terms for a general gunranteo for the benefit of all the districts. j Mr Hall's motion was adopted. ! The district proposed to bo protected covered lliccarton Borough, Sl>revclon i Borough, tho ridings of Pauanui, Wairarapa, Fendalton, lliccarton, Middleton. and Avon, and tho YVaimain County Council, also the ridings of Cashmere, Hillsborough, and tho East Linwood portion of Bromley of the Heath-rote County Council. ' Messrs A. J>. Ford, A. Manhire, G. i M. Hall, and C. W. Kerrey were appointed members of the deputation to ; SC3 the Fire Board. ! Mr ITervey said that many city ratepayers lived in the suburbs, and accordingly had some right to 7»rotection for their homes from the City Brigade, which was largely supported by city : rates 1 '