FIRE BRIGADES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 452, 10 March 1909, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADES.

THE AUCKLAND CONFERENCE. PREVALENCE OF FHIE IN NOT ZEALAN3. (Br TEIiEGRAI'ir —t'UESS 4»SOCIATION.) Auckland, March 9. The principal feature of We second day's proceedings at the animal jwnforonco of the United Fire Brigades' Association was an address by tlio Government firo inspector (Captain lingo). Captain Hugo dealt with matters of interest to the general public, as well as to firemen, and was listened to attentively by over a hundred delegates. Az the opening of his address Captain Hugo stated tiiat in the amount of work they undertook the New Zealand firo brigades led the world. As regards their personnel, too. tho brigades were equal to any in the world, but those present would admit that there was a need of better appliances and plant. Ho had inspected tho New Zealand brigades, end it must bo admitted that they all had something to learn. Tho extraordinary prcvalenco of (ires in New Zealand was a matter 011 which Captain Hugo laid considerable stress, following with a strong indictment of certain methods of insurance. Taking 'Wellington as an instance, ho pointed out that the capital with its population of GO,OOO had had 110 *.'cwer than 139 fines ..during tho twclvo months ending in, March last, and tho firo brigado had been called out 257 times. According to Old World statistics, a city of 350,000 inhabitants would have 110 moro fires than tiiis, wliilo in a European town of 60,000 inhabitants only 23 fires could bo expected. There was, lie said, something very wrong in this. Captain Hugo then endeavoured to show the connection between the number of fires and prevailing systems of insurance. No 0110 would deny, he said, that tho oxistonce of fires was largely affected by insurance. A very great number of outbreaks were due to over-insurance, though hp did not attribute tho excess to direct incendiarism, so much as to the carelessness brought about by the knowledge that a firo would not mean a loss. Over-insurance had been described as one of the greatest crimes of the century, and severe as this indictment was tho speaker fully agreed with it. Captain Hugo concluded with a few words in defence of tho present system of firo boards. Secretary B. C. Robbins (Hawora), in proposing a voto of thanks to Captain Hugo, dwelt on tho necessity of enthusiasm in lira brigade work. Speaking as to the deficient equipment of the brigades, ho said it was practically an impossibility to make their appliances up-to-date out of tho present local Government grant. • ■ _ Tho motion was seconded by secretary Hi. E. Boyes (Nelson), and carried with acclamation. , | <It was decided that in future all officials and judges attending tho annual demonstration should bo provided with nrstclass boat passages. ' . A vote of thanks was passed in appreciation of the generosity of the Government in granting facilities for free travelling on the railways. : As regards tho vciiuo of tho 1910 conference, invitations were' received from Napier and Blenheim, and tho matter will bo voted on by the brigades lator. _ Superintendent W. .Lucas, of Spit, wap elected as president for tho ensuing year. .