HAWERA’S FIRE STATION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 June 1924, Page 11

HAWERA’S FIRE STATION

NOT AN EFFICIENT SERVICE

IMPORTANT REPORT BY NEW SUPERINTENDENT. The members of the Hawera Fire Board were yesterday brought face to tace with the actual position when the new superintendent (Mr Morrison) submitted a lengthy report in which, he asked for a number of costly “necessaries,” which he required to put the hre-fightmg system of Hawera in efficent working order. In fact, the requirements were such that the board decided that now was the time that the Hawera County Council should be approached with a view to their contributiug towards the expense of providing an up-to-date fire-fighting service for the thickly populated area inside and outside the borough. It was pointed ofct that at the present time a house situated on the seaward side of bouth road, or anywhere else iust outside the borough, could burn to the giound .without the brigade being obliged to attend to it, and it was thereforc obvious that if residents outside the borough wished to have fire proteetion they should bear their proportion of the cost of the service. First and foremost the‘superintendent wanted an up-to-date street fire alarm system. The present system had been dismantled, and it must be recognised that no matter how efficient the town s fire service might he a late call often meant a very serious loss. Secondbo woul .d have to face the question of improving the water pressure. The fire risks of Hawera warranted more modern ideas than that of the water tower. He had taken four daily readings of the pressure at 9 a.m 12 noon, 5 p m., and 9 p.m. respectively since lie had heen on the station and fhe morning pressure ranged from 251 b to 501 b, improving at "nmbf r °TU, h * the day t 0 651 bto 751 b at night. This was not recognised in file pi event ion circles as an adeciuate pressure and in view of there facts the board should seriously consider the purchase of a combined first aid and motor pump fire engine. . The board discussed ’ the report in committee, and after an all day sitting passed the following resolution, which ivas confirmed in open meeting- “That full enquiries lie made by the chairman and secretary and reports be prepared, and that the chairman and Air' *? inform th e Hawera Retailers' Association, which wrote on the moVS <>r * Bre alarm system, that attention* 1 ' Was teceivmg the board’..

The superintendent also made a number ot other minor reauests, which were dealt with as follow (1) Renovating of certain looms m the station to be left in the hands of the chairman, with ?ct; (2) a califont to’be inKtatlon for the use of the men, (3) Government standard pattern screw couplings, an extra 1000 ft of hose and four salvage sheets to be purchased; (4) £125 to be placed “The estimates for the renewal of uniforms tor the brigade. It was left with the chairman and superintendent to arrange for the employment of an assistant station keeper, the object being to have a responsible person always on the station. The matter of signing up the noreement of employment with the superintendent was left in the hands of the chairman. fhe board decided to take out an employers’ indemnity insurance policy covering all members of the brigade. ‘