METROPOLITAN FIRE BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 2

METROPOLITAN FIRE BOARD

MR JOHN WILSON NEW CHAIRMAN Formerly chairman for many years of the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board, Mr John Wilson was reinstalled in this position at the monthly meeting vesterday afternoon in place of Mr S. fe. Macdonald, who has severed his connection with the board after seven years’ membership owing to his transference to Auckland. Two nominations were received, but Mr J. L. Salmond withdrew in favour of Mr Wilson, who was elected unanimously. _ The new chairman assured the meeting that he would work in the best interests of the board, and remarked that the position did not entail any honour or glory, but duty. Mr Wilson presided over Messrs J. L. Salmond, W. W. Johnstone. N. D. Anderson, W. A. Scott, W. W, Callender. FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £2,194 13s 4d ere passed for payment. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Activities of the city and suburban rigades during August were outlined sy the superintendent (Mr R. H. Price) as follows; — Calls attended were : Fires, 11; chimney fires, 20; rubbish and bush, 7. False alarms—Malicious, 7; justifiable, 4; automatic, 3. Total, 52. The South Dunedin Brigade attended 14 calls, the Roslyn machine 6, and the Green Island and Mosgiel machines none. The most serious fires during the month _ were those which occurred at the premises of the City Dye Works, 137 George street, on August 15, and the Salmac Company Ltd., 50 Rattray street, on August 25.' Causes of fires were: Defective chimneys, 2, defective range setting, 1; hot ashes, 2 ; sparks from fires, 2; sparks from machinery, 1; overheating from stove pipe, 1; unknown, 2; total, 11. Properties affected were: Bout factory, 1; boiler house, 1; dwellings, 4; dyeing and dry-cleaning works, 1; insulation manufactory, 1; office, 1; shops, 2; total, 11. Chimney fires totalled 20. The staff was at full strength and the’ plant was in good order. Fireman Sellar completed his probationary period on August 26, and his appointment to the permanent staff had been confirmed. The staffs of the South Dunedin, Roslyn, and Green Island stations were assembled at the Central Station for drill and practice during the month. Building inspection was continued during the month, but tho activities of the inspecting officers were curtailed owing to the inclement weather. The physical training classes were now held on three evenings each week, and with the acquisition of proper gymnasium equipment a pleasing enthusiasm was being shown. The sub-stations at South Dunedin, Roslyn, Green Island, and Mosgiel were inspected during the month and everything appeared to be in satisfactory order. Pressure at the various stations at 9 a.«i. and 9 p.m. had been as follows; Central. 901 b and 1301 b; South Dunedin. 951 b and 1201 b; Roslyn, 1501 b and 1551 b. The report was adopted.