Claims On Council Follow Ballantyne's Fire

Chronicle (Levin), 4 May 1948, Page 5

Claims On Council Follow Ballantyne's Fire

CHRIBTCH URCH, May 1. Xotice of intention to iile claims amounting to more than £1,000,000 has been given to the City Couneil as a result of damage and losses sulfered in Ballantyne's tire last Xovember. The Christchurch. Fire Boanl has notilied the council that they will lodge a claim for £500,000. J. Baliantvne and Company, Ltd., have made a similar notiiication, and the trust ees of Pratt 's Estate, owners of a block of buildings leased by Ballantyne's, have notilied an impending claim for about £50,000. lt was learned that the claims are in the nature of indemnities, and that, in all, more tlian 40 writs for damages arising from the tire will be lodged with the varlous companies. The Fire Board 's £500,000 claim on the council may be shared equally with the fire underwriters. It was also stated that there was some doubt about the status of Baliantvne *s claim against the council. Xo comment could be obtained froin any of the interested parties. The chairunm of the Fire Board (Mr. T. M. Charters) said only that the notices were normal legal procodure. The Fire Board depends for the bulk of its revenue bn the ratepavers *ot Christchurch, the rate being coJleeted by the City Council. If the claims mature — and the position may be altered by the Jiudings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the fire — ratepavers will have to foot a bill of £30 a liead. The Fire Brigades Act exempts fire boards or their members and officers from damages claims arising from damage to property occasioned by brigade officers or members in the eourse of a fire. The Act also prpvides that lire boards shall provide efficient services to protect life and property from fire, but adds that 110 memher of a board shall personally be respqnsible for any act or omission of a board, nor can* any claim lie made against a board foV damages for any Joss or damage arising from the failure of a board to perform its statutorv duty.