FIRE PREVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1169, 3 July 1911, Page 8

FIRE PREVENTION.

CONDITIONS "SIMPLY APPALLING." DEPUTATION TO MINISTER, . A deputation from the United Fire Brigades Association waited on the Minister for Internal Affairs (Iho Hon. D. Buddo) on Saturday, and suggested alterations in tho Fire Brigades Act. The members of the deputation wero Messrs. B. C. Bobbins and .1. G. Gilberd. Mr. Hobbins referred to'the resolutionspassed at the last conference of the Fire Brigades Association. The conference, lie said, desired that it should be made mandatory to have New Zealand divided into two classes of fire districts—city and country districts. If such an alteration wero made, the matter of representation would have to be considered, but the association thought that it should be on practically the same, lines as at present The boundaries should be arrangea to fit in with tho electoral boundaries, as near as practicable. If the Act was not to be amended to tho extent asked, something should be done to enable tho establishment of firo boards -in towns of less than 2000 people. The association objected to the stipulation in tho Act which required that on a proposal to' form a fire board one-third of the ratepayers must have voted before the poll could be regarded us valid. Tho amendment, suggested was a bare majority of tho votes recorded. Municipalities should be required to take I a poll if a petition was presented. "The nest subject," said Mr. Gilbevd, "is proper building regulations. Instead of being left to the local bodies, a model set should be adopted by tho Government."

The Minister: "Do you mean, then, to over-ride what is known as the city permits for building purposes?"—" Yes." Mr. Gilbcrd said that there was also the question of the over-lapping of laws. The connection between the hotel licensing laws and the firo prevention by-laws should bo looked into. Among a number of other matters requiring the Government's attention were- those of electric wiring and earthquakes. Mr. Buddo: "That would all come under the model sst of by-laws."

Mr. Bobbins said that the, matter of the fire inspectors would have to be gone into more fully. There were the conflicting Acts—the Jlunicip.il Act, tiro Licensiijßr Act, and the Fire Brigades Act.

Mr. Buddo: "Would that not bo covered by a model set of building by-laws?"

A Serious State of Things.

Mr. Bobbins: "That would cover it, of course, but I don't know if the inspectors are doing their duty or not. If they are, there is a very funny state of affairs prevailing." Ho said there had been a number of fatal fires in Auckland lately. "I was in a five-story building the other day, on the top floor of which' a largo number cf girls worked.: The only means of exit so far as I could see was a narrow-stair-case. The building was wood inside, though bricked outside. If there had-been a fire, I don't know how .these ■ girls would have got out; in fact, I.am sure they would not have got out. There would bo a terrible fatality. This is not going on onljr itv out building, but in many. The'condition of things is simply appalling. Yon should have a-IVliamcntarv Committee and Uiko the evidence of experts in the matter. The trouble in the past was that these with a knowledge of fire-fighting were, not called upon'for evidence. Things have been left more to the local governing bodies:".

Mr. Bobbins also suggested that, instruction should be given regularly in schools in order that children might'knew what, to do in cases of fire. Also, charts might be placed iu factories. He pointed out that a number of peoplo had been fatally burned.through ignorance of what to do when their clothing caught fire. In his reply, the Minister said that while he would be favourable to giving an opportunity for amalgamating outlying districts which could reasonably bo called suburban, he did not think it would be practicable, or lead to efficiency, to join a fire board station'to a wide'rural area. As to the request for bare majorities to approve of fire districts, the provision now existing had only been in operation two years, and whatever its disabilities ho hardly thought it wquld be practicable to alter it at the moment. It would be better to give it a little further trial. "Begarding the most important thing yon have brought forward.", said Mr. Buddo, "—the model set of building regulations—it ought to be given attention when the Tc-wn-Planhirig Bill comes along. A good many local authorities havo put every obstacle in the way of those who wish to take any advantage of flaws in the law—such as narrow streets, etc. Others have not, unfortunately." Exception had been taken to tho inspection of fire escapes. He was notaware of any neglect, but anyone who would repeat to a local authority the statements made to him would be a means of bringing -about considerable alterations. He thought the suggestions re schools and factories were well worthy of the consideration of. the Minister for Education.- As to the question of faulty installation of electrical power and light, the problem was difficult, but he was looking into the matter, and would have a report made.