HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 62, 7 December 1926, Page 3

HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL

FIRE BRIGADE MATTERS. 'The -Mayor (Mr. 1-1. T. Strand) presided at the meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council last night. There were also present Councillors A. AlcBaiu, W. Meldrum, E. IValdie, 11. G. Teagle, E. W. Hunt, L- T. Watkins, A. Grierson, and A. J. Hobbs. The lire prevention committee reported that the Fire Brigade bad invited a direction by the council on the policy matter of attending fires outside the borough Thb brigade had indicated its willingness to assist at any fires where its services could be of use, but it was also pointed out that every call meant expense to the borough. The committee had decided to recommend the council that the matter of attending fires outside the borough be left to the discretion of the Superintendent of the brigade. It was further suggested that the Hutt County Council be written to asking if it would be prepared to pay a subsidy to the council for the brigade’s services in the Epum riding of the conntv, and that the Underwriters’ Association be written to iu similar terms. In connection with the gongs in firemen’s houses, the fire prevention committee reported that the alarm system proposed was similar to an exchange call system, using a motordriven bell-ringer, and alarm bells similar to telephone bells. This system eliminated batteries, and would be installed so that when a fire call was made from a street box this same call would start up the motor-driven ringer, and the firemen would receive the call at the same time as the main station. The estimated cost of the installation of the fourteen bells, ringer, and wiring would be approximately £l5O, and if run in conjunction with the alarm box system might come out cheaper. On the recommendation of the Works Committee, a revised scale of charges was adopted, regarding sewer connections, raising the charges to £4 when the sewer is under, and £7 10s. when over 4ft. from the' section boundary. Owing to recent power failures and consequent slight disorganisation of the pumping plant, the installation of an electrically operated alarm from the pumping station to Mr. Ingram’s house had been authorised. An allowance of £l5O per annum was granted to the borough engineer for car allowance. It was decided to meet the claim of the I’ost and Telegraph Department for the sum of £5O for damage to the underground cable in Knight’s Road, caused by borough workmen. In connection with the question of supplying borough services to sub-divi-sions outside the confines of the borough, the opinion of the solicitftr had been taken, and he had stated that the council had power to supply water only to owners of subdivisions in the county, and if the said owners desired to make use of the other borough services it would be necessary lor them to petition to be taken into the borough.