THE FIRE BRIGADE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 70, 19 September 1930, Page 11

THE FIRE BRIGADE

INSPECTOR'S CRITICISM

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPLY

INSIDIOUS ATTACK "

The strongest resentment was express<vl. hy the Wellington Five Board to-d.-iv at the manner.in which the strie--1 uves made on various matters in connection with the brigade-was made by Captain Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades, in his annual report to Parliament, published in yesterday's "Post," and a report by. Superintendent. J. (Jrecke, forcefully replying to charges which he characterised as vague and indefinite, was adopted and supported. A deputation, is to wait on the Minister to present the board's complaints of the lack of direct intimation thirteen, months ago, when the inspector made his visit, that there was anything sufficiently amiss to warrant such an attack on its officers.

There were present the chairman (Mr. N. W. Nelson) and Messrs. M. Marks, 0.. D. Morpeth, M. F. Luekie, S. S. Deans, and W.A. Parton. The chairman moved that the matter be taken in committe&. . .

The opinion was expressed by a member that the report should never have Ijune published by the Press. "You.can't stop it," remarked auotjpr member. ••A fourteen mouths', old report/ fn.imwnted- Mr. M. Marks, referring to flic -fact that the board was unaware of its contents. . ■ .

]'.\ir. W. A. Parton remarked that it was- not permissible to publish such an annual report (before it had- been presented to the. House of Bepreaentatives. 'Considering the amount of pub^ licity the subject had already received, lie did not altogether favour taking it • in committee. The board then went into committee. '■•;. TO WAIT ON MINISTER. After the meeting the secretary (Mr. H. S. Fairchild) stated that the board had agreed unanimously that the Minister should be written to, and asked to receive a deputation from the board. Very strong expressions were voiced of dissatisfaction with the manner and method in which the strictures of the ia- ■ spector had been published, especially in the criticism, not only,of the brigade ...itself, but of its .officers. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that , this report had.been published in. the manner it was thirteen months after the inspection was made, and it was contended that if the matters touched upon were at all serious, the board could not understand why the. inspector had with- ' held the information in this way, but had allowed matters to run on for such a long period. Extracts from Inspector Hugo's report had been transmitted 'throughout New Zealand,.continued Mr. Fairchild, and members of the board were only made aware of them when they read the newspapers. Members of the board, one-after another,- spoke /.strongly. Of the unwarranted and insidipus attack on its affairs, and it was unanimously agreedthat the report of tlie superintendent should be published. Mr. M. F. Luekie stated that when Superintendent Creeke was appointed to the chargoof the Wellington Brigade, Inspector Hugo was consulted in regard to the appointment, which met with his full approval.SUPERINTENDENT HITS OUT. ;: "In:"hii official annual report to Parliament, "says ' the Superintendent '$ j-epbrty "Captain Hugo, Inspector of i'ire Brigades, has thought fit to pass severe strictures on. the control of the : AVellington Fire Brigade, condemning in turn (a) the use and maintenance of the equipment, (b) the system adopted for drilling, and (c) the general direction and supervision at fires. On these ■ statements I beg to report as follows: ' 'rhe'lnspectoi: of JPire Brigades made -}ris: annual inspection -of the Wellington mirei nire Brigade on the nights of the 23rd aud 24th August, 1929, which is over ■:i year ago. Neither on the occasion of that visit (despite-his statement that he pointed out certain things to me), nor on any subsequent date did Hie inspector make any comments to mcl on the subject. As a matter of fact; I was under the impression. (which' was judged from his general demeanour) that he was rather pleased with the results of the inspection and drills carried out. My officers were also of this opinion. I should say it was his duty to communicate immediately his condemnation to the board for its consideration. To deliver the critic.ism* over twelve months after the inspection seems to me to indicate that his alarming report is totally unwarranted and shows that immediate attention or remedy was not required.

"With regard to the general question of brigade equipment, I am prepared to assert that the Wellington Fire Board's plant and equipment is second to none in any city in New Zealand ~or Australia. Its maintenance and use is hardly a matter for question, and it is difficult to understand 'in what possible way any criticism, can be justified. .It is regrettable that the inspector's. criticism avoided the men- ■ tiqn of any indication of the. cause of his displeasure. I can only say that ■with respect to the use, maintenance, and upkeep of the /board's plant and • equipment, nothing is neglected to enable, it to compare favourably with the most modern system applicable. DRILLS A MODEL. "In regard to drills again the inspector's report almost dumbfounds me. Since my taking office as Offleer-in-charge of the Wellington Fire Brigade I have introduced drilling and training operations that resulted in bringing about a condition of physical efficiency nmongst the men which is frequently the subject of favourable comment with brigade* in other parts of New Zealand. The brigade method of drills is sot out in a manual, which I specially, prepared and had printed in book form, founded on the most modern ideas, of the fire-fighting profession. The issue of such a manual by me was / agreed to by the board and has been in great demand from other brigades hi. the Dominion. The manual was , flistributed about two years ago, and a. copy of it is in the hands of the leading fire superintendents in New Zealand. Inspector Hugo was furnished with a copy, and, although this book was specially prepared for the Wellington Brigade on account of the lack of a standard work, many applications are received from firemen .throughout the Dominion for copies. The comments on this publication dealin" with the method of drills and other brigade matters which have been expressed to me are in very high terms. UNAWARE NOW OF FAILINGS, ■ "The Inspector stated that in his opinion the tactics employed, as also the directive control of brigade operations at fires, are faulty. I regret exceedingly that a departmental officer, occupying the responsible position that Inspector Hugo does, should attempt to torpedo a fireman of my experience and 'standing with such a destructive censure without a hearing. It surely should have occurred to the Inspector that the medium lie was using for his observalii.'iis; a Parliamentary report, was of a ji.-i.ture calling for the utmost care and i>ivTioss. If lie had done so, lam sure lif would not have shot at me without giving a hearing. I am hopelessly unaware iv what particular I bavo failed

to satisfy. Captain Hugo, whom I have always held in great respect.

WIDER EXPERIENCE THAN CRITIC

"My experience in five-fighting and in the control of brigadesmen is lifelong. On 7th August, 1901, at the age of 22 years, I .-joined the New South Wales Fire Brigades, and by a gradual process of advancement in drills and management of modern firo appliances and standard examinations set for each grade, I passed the highest examination which qualified me to hold the highest office in. that organisation. I passed through the same standard as the past and present chief officers of the New South Wales Brigades,; late Chief of Melbourne, and the present Chief of the Perth Brigade. It is perhaps to my credit that I was attached, at different times to the throe leading stations in Sydney, and for the last fourteen years of service was in charge of the second main station, namely Circular quay, which district embraces the greatest fire hazard in the city. In all humility I express tho doubt as to whether anyone, Inspector Hugo not cxcepted, has had greater opportunities than have been my privilege, to be associated with the most modern systems of fire-fighting in the Southern Hemisphere. A special system of fire alarms is now installed at Miramar and Brooklyn, based on my ideas, and they aro being copied. My official credentials are not inferior to any available in either country. I have enjoyed tho confidence of my previous employers, and believe I am not otherwise regarded by the members of my present controlling board.

"In summarising the position, it is abundantly clear that my ability and qualifications equally with those of my offlcera are seriously challenged by Inspector Hugo. May I suggest most respectfully to both Inspector Hugo and to my board that as my greater experience in practical fire-fighting activities cannot be questioned, my friend's strictures should be assessed only at their proper relative values. In the absence of any specific ch&rges, I am unable to file a specific defence, but I desire to inform my board that I very strongly resent, not only this attack, but the form the'lnspector has chosen to make it in." •'