HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1918, Page 4

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD.

MONDAY, JUNE 17. The Board met at 2.30 p.m. Present—Messrs IT. L. Michel, J. F. Grierson, J. J. Breeze, J. H. Wilson, H. M. Conlson, and H. P. Hopkins. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Secretary (Mr Andrewes) took the chair and invited nominations for the position of Chairman. Mr Breeze proposed Mr Michel be re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

Mr Hopkins seconded the motion, expressing bis appreciation of the past services of Mr Michel. He also took the opportunity of congratulating Mr Michel on his elevation to the Legislative Council. He had not known Mr Michel for many years, but be bad heard of his past work lor this district and he was sure that the appointment would prove a very happy one.

There were no other nominations and Mr Michel was declared duly elected.

Mr Michel took the chair and thanked members for bis re-election and Mr Hopkins for his kind congratulations, and members for their vote. It had been a great source of pleasure to him that the appointment had been a. source of satisfaction to all - parts of the Dominion. He trusted that the action of the Government would be found to be a worthy one. He thanked them again for their votes and reception of Dll’ Hopkins remarks.

ORDINARY BUSINESS. The minutes were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved. rN WA R D CORRESPONDENCE. From Secretary Fire Underwriters Association, forwarding copy of Bab vago reg u 1 at ions.—Rece i v ed. From Hokitika Fire B rigado, recommending reappointment of Messrs Braddon and Davidson as Snpt and Depnty-Supt. —Received.

j The Chairman moved that the reappointments be made. Seconded by Mr Grierson and carried. The mover and seconder spoke in laudatory terms of the excellent services rendered by these two officers. From Satire, enclosing list of members who have qualified for service honors, and asking for authority to procure same.— Received, and approved. From J. Millner, thanking Board for appointment as nightwatclrman. - •—Received.

From Same, applying for an increase of salary. Received. Mr Breeze moved that a bonus of £1 per month be granted for 12 mouths. Seconded by Mr Conlson and carried. REPORTS.

The Treasurer reported receipts £B2 0/9, payment Bill* 5/9, credit balance £(>l 8;8. Received. The tell-tale clock report showed 3 discrepancies of 30 minutes a id 1 of 45 minutes.—Received The explanation given was accepted as satisfactory.

SD PE UIXTEN I) E XT’S AXNIT A L RE POK T

I have the honor to report that during the year ending on 31st May, your Brigade received, and responded to, thirteen fire calls. Of these three were of a very serious nature, and I regret to say resulted in a loss of £1,424. The value of the three buildings, together with stock and furniture, was ,£2,850. One of these fires was of so suspicious a nature, that a coronial enquiry was held; the evidence proved conclusively that fires were started simultaneously in two, if not three, different parts of the building. The verdict of the enquiry was that the hotel was wilfully set on fire, but there was no evidence to show by whom. The loss by this fire was £'Bo4.

During the year one more of the members of your Brigade has left New Zealand to take his place in the firing line in France. Charles Ross is the second son of our worthy Foreman Robert Ross wiio has been called to the colours. Jack was dangerously wounded in the Somme battle while gallantly leading a machine-gun team, but according to latest accounts, is now, I am glad to say, out of danger. Another valued member, Fred I v vnch, goes into camp shortly, making five in all of our members absent on militory duty.

The numerical strength of the Brigade has been, and is maintained by worthy old ex-members and probationers, and I desire to officially tliaukthem for their valued help. The probationary members in particular are very keen and willing. They attend every practice and fire.

I am pleased to say the practices continue to he well attended by members, and great interest taken in our work, and a high standard of efficiency maintained, The work performed by them at all fires clearly shows this.

I have finished the annual inspection of places ot public amusement and find that the fire escape on the north side of the Princess Theatre requires immediate repair. The pillars supporting the top end of the stab way are rotten at the ground level, and if subjected to a heavy strain or weight, the whole structure would collapse. The means of exit at the Supreme Hall requires the words ‘ Fire Escape ” over the door. , All gear is in good working order. The hook and ladder carriage has not yet been altered, Mr McGregor having met with a severe accident to his, hand, has had to hold the work over for the present, but will take the work in hand at the first opportunity.'

* On behalf of the members of your Brigade, I desire to thank you for the wholehearted manner in which you attend to our welfare, and the Brigade also extends a hope that the same kindly relations that exists at present will long continue. We also desire to take this opportunity to congratulate your Chairman, the Hon H. L. Michel, on the well deserved honor which has been conferred on him, in being called to the j Legislative Council. ! —Received.

'THE ESTIMATES. The estimates of probable expenditure for the year commencing on July 1 st, 1918, amounting to £420 were received and approved j a:v l a levy made as follows :—Hoki- ! tikri Borough Council £lB9. In - 1 surauee Companies £lB9, Government £42. Accounts amounting to £B2 12.were passed for payment. GENERAL. A discussion took place in connection with the alarm of fire that morning, the question being raised that the period between The ringing of the gasworks bell and that of the main station was a somewhat lengthy one. The subject was discussed from various view points, and ultimately the Superintendent's view was accepted. Mr Braddon stated that he heard tiie gasworks bell ringing and without dressing went to the telephone and gave the tower call. Not receiving an answer, two seconds later he rang the fire alarm signal and a couple ot seconds later the No 1 station bell rang out the alarm. As it would take some five seconds to get down from the tower look-out to the bell lie considered the nightwatchman was on Ins way 'down when he first gave the telephone ring. 011 his return to the station after the fire, the night watchman had informed him that lie had not heard the gasworks bell when in the tower, but had got up to have a walk round the outside and heard the bell. He could not see any sign of fire, but as it continued to ring out the alarm lie had gone down and given the alarm. He had not heard the Superintendent’s celephone rings. This explanation Mr-Braddon added, lie considered perfectly feasible, and lie had no doubt of its correctness. Mr Braddon further asked for a!> ruling of the Board in connection with precautions for watching premises after a fire, and after discussion the matter was left to the discretion of the Superintendent ! and his Deputy, the Board members expressing their entire willingness to approve of any action that the Brigade considered necessary. The Board rose at 3.30 p.m.