Slight Decrease In Spending

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28261, 26 April 1957, Page 12

Slight Decrease In Spending

A slight decrease in proposed expenditure for 1957-58 compared with last year’s budget was shown in estimates approved by the Christchurch Fire Board at its annual meeting on Wednesday evening. The board plans to spend £128.424 compared with £131,322 budgeted and £118,632 actually spent during the year ended March 31. Receipts are estimated at £21,594 (£24,222) leaving £106,830 to be raised (an estimated £107,100 last year). Of the difference, insurance underwriters meet 50 per cent., local bodies 40 per cent., and the Government 10 per cent. The local bodies concerned** are the Christchurch City Council, Riccarton Borough Council, and Waimairi, Heathcote, Halswell and Paparua County Councils. Major items of estimated expenditure this year, with the actual

expenditure last year in parenthesis, are: wages, £64,134 (£62,668); uniforms and personal equipment, £3200 (£4544); furniture and fittings, £l5OO (£1350); buildings and premises, £2OOO (£1390); benzine, oil and stores. £1950 (£1953); fire engines, £1260 (£4400); brigade equipment, £l2OO (£2693); interest charges, £2377 (£2053); F.S.C. Pump, £5OOO (—); light truck. £lOOO (—); expenses of new stations, £2OOO (£2582); payments to capital expenditure, depreciation and gratuities funds. £12,000 (£15,850). Before the estimates become final they have to be approved by the Fire Services’ Council annual meeting in Wellington at the end of next month. Suburban Stations

Reports on three suburban stations were received at the board’s monthly meeting which preceded the annual meeting. .The secretary (Mr S. F/Marshall) told members that a four-acre block of land at 929 Ferry road had been purchased with the unanimous consent of individuals on the board, who had been approached by him over the telephone. The cost of the land was £4750. Plans for a new fire station in Sumner were given to the board. The building will be of concrete blocks on a piece of land in Wiggins street. Its cost is estimated at £6OOO. “There are 20 good volunteers down there to run that brigade and we want to give them premises they can be proud of and good equipment,” said the Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond). Mr Osmond reported that the transfer of the St. Albans brigade from Office road to newly-com-pleted premises in Cranford street had been effected. Mr Marshall said that the board had power to sell, if it wished, the old station and residential premises in Office road. These were now surplus. The City, Council, which has an adjoining property, is said to be interested in acquiring the fire station premises. The board agreed to give the council first refusal.