STATE FIRE OFFICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 92, 13 January 1919, Page 4

STATE FIRE OFFICE

A YEAR'S PROFITS. 'An interim report submitted by tho General Manager of the State l r ira Office (Mr. C. I{. C. Robieson) to t)jo Hon. ,\V. D. S. MacDonold mentiopa .that tho net surplus for fhe jyear ended December 31, 1918, is approjimately £38,000, which beats tho previous year's record by £2000. Tlfis result is regarded as exceedingly satisfactory, for the office 1 had the disadvantage of war conditions, which reduced the staff and otherwise made fpr difficulties. During the first three months of 1918 the officc suffered losses in the big Raetihi disaster apd other lires, but during the remainder of the year the paying-out on fires Was considerably lighter. The' Department has invested an additional £9000 in war loans, making a total of £100,000 thus placed. , Mr- JlacDwald states that the building of the new office (on the site where tae temporary office, is how located) has been delayed in accordance with tho Government's policy, winch has not encouraged any large expenditure on . public buildings during the stress of war. However, tho Minister's personal opinion is that it ( will be advisable to make a beginning soon with -this enterprise, for some other departments as well as tho J* ire Insurance Office are in urgent need of accommodation. Tho capital cost of the new Fire Office will oomo out ot the Department's funds. It is anticipated that the revenue from rooms let to other departments will jueet the interest and sinking fund charges on tho cost of the building. Plans, selected from competitive designs, have been approved, and tenders will be qjlled within a measurable future.