FIRE BOARD.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20183, 11 March 1931, Page 9

FIRE BOARD.

ANNUAL AND MONTHLY MEETINGS. MB T. M. CHARTERS ELECTED CHAIRMAN. f The annual meeting of the Ghristchtirch Fire Board was held last night. Mr E. H. Andrews was chairman for the time being. It was reported that the following had been appointed members of the Board:—Representing the Christehurch City Council: Messrs E, H. Andrews, I. H, Butterfield, and E. Parlane, Representing the Underwriters' Association: Messrs T. M. Charters, K. W. Robinson, and G. C. Hill. Representing the Government: Mr 0, A. Cooper, ' With the exception of Mr E. Parlane, from whom an apology for absence was accepted, all members were present. The secretary (Mr C. J/. Treleaven) then took the chair. .. Mr Andrews proposed and Mr Robinson seconded, Mr Charters as chairman. There was no other nomination, and Mr Oharters was elected, taking the chair at once. The chairman, in thanking the Board: for the honoiir it had bestowed on him, said that he felt sure that with tho helpful co-operation "of members the business of the Board would be dealt witl; amicably, as in tho past, Mr Andrews was elected deputy-chair-man. - Tho chairman, deputy-chairman, and Mr Cooper were, elected the and the Finance Committee. The chairman extended a welcome to Messrs Hill and Cooper. On the chairman's motion, it was decided to record the Board's appreciation of the services of the retiring members, Messrs J. R. Cameron and H. R. Ensbridge, and to send each a letter em* bodying the Board's expressions of appreciation. , Captain Hugo 'p Retirement, The monthly meeting of the Board was then held, ■ The Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon, P. A. de la Perrelle), in announcing the retirement of Captain T. T, Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades, on March 31st, wrote that in view "of the difficult finanoial position it had been decided, as an veconomy measure, to make no fresh appointment, and that Mr R. Girling Butcher, Chief Inspector of Explosives, would carry on" the administration of the Eire Brigades Act, , "It Is regretted," the Minister added; "that financial considerations have ; made J.t impossible to replace Captain Hugo by a specialist, but it is considered that tho appointment of a technical officer whose present work is, tQ some extent, associated with that of fire, brigades, is the most satisfactory arrangement that could be made.in the. Circumstances, and will, at aU events, ensure continuity'!# the administration of the Act." The chairman: I notice that thp„Snp» erintendent comments trenchantly, .on this. » , ' Superintendent'Warner's report"eoni tained - the fallowing olause:-^' 1- ... "X regret, to report that the Impec* tor of lire, Brigades, .Captain T,. T. Hugo, is resigning his position -as from Search 3lst, and that the Government does not consider the fire servioe of the Dominion of sufficient importance to continue appointment of a 'spqcial- ' ist' ,8$ his successor.*' . r . that the Bpard qtdt&:^r^fkUtyj sawns ssns%% s Mr RobinSon; .The only thing it that when the' Minister. J» doing ; good he ought to encouraged. ' i *;> »r*. folate* Between February 8W *aad 4th. F according to Superintendent, ■ner 's wpoirt, Sl cs® 4 W were for in or oa property lu tljd City; 3 fot hedge one! rflbbiah fire*: 1< for a chiin«W flw .ftfoM" fake felarma, 1 of which, four, were given makdoiuly: 1 hedge, fire at Fendalton; 1 "fire at Ricoartonj aad a .for eplls outside the district,' not-ptqtected by the Bdard, ii f t ,• i A !#fw|S t} 1 1 f 1 Insurance# ,oa ljuUaingß r «nft wo? -1 A '• 1 r '.tents r Estimate^-vWue of/T>roperty.ac-. ~, •'• «.»» There were four, fiw# which been adjusted, finally;. thewr;w&V; I^, o ' '"* s v