GISBORNE FIRE BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3986, 20 July 1915, Page 6

GISBORNE FIRE BOARD.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

MR. JAS. BROWN APPOINTED

CHAIRMAN

The f ifthual general meeting of the (Rsboru# Fire Board was hold yesterday idicrnoon. There were pre a enr.--Mes#s ,). Brown, H. E. Bright, G. ThJfiie-GtioJ'ge, A. »S. Wachsrr.nnn and W Adair. i W Mr Brown was appointed chairman Tor the ensuing year, remarking tout as soon as Mr Townloy was reappointed to tin- 'Board he. would resign the chairmanship in his favor. The Superintendent of lbe\ !' ire.Bri<mde (Mi J. Thomson) subimAed bis annual report on the work ot the Brigade (Mr. J. Thomson) submitted Jl:s follows: — _. .. i “Fires. —During the year p 4 calls were- received at the station, as against 45 last year, making an increase of 9. Of this number the following live, being in the business area of the town, were most important: 1. Adams, Bradley’s estate, Strand Cato, Ferguson and Adair m Gladstone ltoa7l (the first mentioned two being of a serious nature), and Empire Stables in' Bright Street. _ The classification of the fires is as follows: Shops <) boardinghouses 5, powerhouse 1, Brewery 1, stables 1. hotel 1, dwellin'i's 1(5, motor ears 2, chimney 1, tar tanks 2, grass lire 1. There were besides these six outside lioiindaiy ot district and ten false alarms. In ad- i cliLion to the 54 calls the Brigade has also met for 28 practices, making the total number ol musters lor tlio “Personnel of Brigade.—l he Biigadc at present consists ol the lollowiii<>': Superintendent, donuty-superm-tencleiit, senior and junior foremen. 1 caretaker, .15 firemen and 2 cadets. One, fireman and one cadet are a wav on active service at the front. IJ K ' attendance, discipline and work ol the members at both fires and practices have been excellent During the voui ibe Inspector of Eire Brigades, Capt. T. T. Hugo, has made two liispecuons, botli of which have been <4 great benefit to the Brigade. 'l’lio lectures delivered bv him proving both interesting. instructive and of great use m practical fire lighting. “I’lant.—lt was found necessary during the voar to add to tlie plant the following: 2 hydrants, spare parts tor the motor, and 7 pairs ol working trousers. The whole of the plant has been maintained in "nod order and condition. There is on order at piesent litnt) feet Oi Bose brand hose I (which was recommended by the Jn- | specter), and 10 pairs of Government j nil urn couplings. The telephone m- * dieators have been placed in difieiont | pams of vbo town, and this system of notifying the Brigade of outbreaks oi lire has proved satisfactory. I would suggest that in the near future your !3oTi7-d should take into consideration the advisability of installing an up-to-date fire alarm system, as an adjui.Vt to the new Fire Station which we Imp.:- will be completed ni the course of the next few months. ‘■'l'he water pressure during the year .was satisfactory in spite of the fact that the town and district experienced a very dry summer. The pressure averaged throughout > v >lhs per square inch. “Under the arrangement entered into\by myself and confirmed by your Board, the. .motor engine driver is living in quarters at the Brigade Station, this proving a doieded advantage. “In conclusion I desire to express i hanks for the consideration and attention which your Board has shown in all matters connected with the Bn-u-ad e. 1 } , .Superintendent *T. and Deputv-Stiperiutendont G. \\ ihlish wore re-appointed for the ensuing year.

ESTIMATES

The secretary (Air tergus Gumming) submitted the following estimates lor the ensuing year : Plant, annual instalment Borough Council, CO! 9.5; plant and equipment. e:}|)(); interest on loan £4600 at 51 per cent., portion for part year say e-jiiO ; secretary, £52; .superintendent, ij.'jl); custodian* £156; custodian (temporary relieving man and assistant), _• engineer, £l2; motor driver, £l9 l()s; firemen, £150; office expenses, £2O; maintenance and repairs, £55; fuel and light, £SO; insurance, £75; legal expenses, £SO; general expenses, _T ; advertising and printing, £2(U eontingeneies, £73 6s id; total. £1317 os 7d. . . ..

Less Ur. lialance Bank of New Zealand, 30-6-15, £212 2s Id; outstanding contribution, £lO 3s Od ; £222 os 70; £1125. p N.Z. Government, £SO; Borough Council, £537 10s; insurance companies, £537 10s; total, £1125. It was decided to forward the estimates to the Minister for his approval.

fu connection with the suggestion to instal a fire alarm system, it was resolved that at the first meeting-after me completion of the new fire station me Secretary place this matter on the order paper lor consideration. The Superintendent submitted liis annual report regarding places of public worship and amusement. As the Borough Council had already received a copy, it- was decided to. adopt the report. 'I tie Union Bank wrote, acknowledging receipt of the Board’s two letters of June 24, and asked thaL a formal resolution authorising operations on the Board’s banking account should bo passed. j

J.t was decided that any two members of the Board and me secretary be authorised to sign cheques on the Board’s behalf.

hi 10 Secretary of. the Eire Brigade wrote requesting the Board’s approval of increasing the strength of the Brigade from 20 to 23 members during . the war, on account of two of the members having gone to the war and it being necessary to fill their places, and in -order that these substitutes might obtain registration with the United hire Brigades’ Association, It was agreed to comply with the request. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote, approving the Board’s action in raising an additional £6OO, in order to complete the new lire station. The Superintendent of the Eire Brigade submitted a report on the recent fires, at Dr. Porter’s residence and Score’s Buildings, Haiti. He stated that no delay had occurred in getting to Dr. Porter’s fire, but that some delay had occurred in getting to the fire at- Ivaiti, through the driving of the motor tender. As the engine on the return to the station was found to be in good order he had dismissed the driver,, and engaged another.