REMOVE FIRE HAZARDS

Chronicle (Levin), 2 July 1948, Page 5

REMOVE FIRE HAZARDS

Pfe'Ss AeSdciatioiij

Timid Attitude To Risks Unjustified

(Per

CHRISTCHURCH) July 1. When the Royal Commission of Intpiiry into JBallantyne's fire adjournqd today to consider its report, the ehairman, Sir Harold Johnston, K.C., said that Ihe work of the Commission was, in a sense, just l)eginning — it had to sit't the vast inass of evidenee that had been heard during the 65 days of sitting. The ehairman outiined the history of the ComnfisSion whieh had heard 186 witnesses and will return to Wellington to consider 3527 pages of evidenee and 800 pages of addresses by eounsel. It will take as. well, 144 exhibits% ineluding lengthv technical reports Of the witnesses, 131 were called by the Crown, ten by. Mr.. T. P. Cleary (for J. Rallantyne and Company), 25 by Mr. B. A. Barrer (for the Clerks and Cashiers, Ret ail Shop Assistants' and Clothing Trades Unions),. 5 by Mr. J. D. Hutehison (for the Christchurch Fire Board), 14 by Mi'. W. R. Las celles (for the City Council), oue by Mr. E. D. Biundell (for the Fire Underwriters) and six by Mr. E. S. Bowie (for Thompson and Dorreen). "If anyone wonders at the length of time taken, they have only to look at the isslies for eonsideration," said the ehairman. The full newspaper reports of the proceedings may not have been palatable to all readers but they have been valuable. There is good ground for saying that the public in New Zealand, and perhaps municipal and other bodies, are under-edueated in the prevention and control of fires and the publicity giveii this iftqttiry will awakeii people to the importance of these. There are difficulties about applying by-law-vS to old buildings but a too timid attitude towards old buildings cannot be justified if it means a loss of life and destruction of property. Our report, under the last renewal granted. is due on July 31 Thoiigh we cannot be ready then. municipal bodies and those entrusted with control, should not just stand by awaiting legislation — they should he as active as possible under their current bylaws." ii m i r rii- mUs ii ifaA,