HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1921, Page 4

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

MONDAY, JUNE 13th

The annual meeting was held at the Towjn, Clerk’s Office yesterday afternoon at ,3 p.m. Present —Hon. H. L. Mighel (Chairman), Messrs J. F. Grierson, J..H. Wilson, H. M. Coulson, An apoiogy was made for the absence of Messrs McGregor and Breeze. The following appointments were notified > —Government—J. J• Breeze; Insurance—J. F. Grierson, H. Hopkins, J. H. Wilson; Hokitika Borough Council—Hon. H. L.. Michel, 11. M. Coul- | son, F. McGregor. FJLECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr Grierson proposed Hon. H. L. Michel be re-elected Chairman. Seconded by Mr Coulson and carried. Mr Michel took the chair and thanked members for their continued confidence. The minutes were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved. | INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. 1 From Hokitika Fire Brigade re- ' commending reappointment of Supt. Braddon and Deputy Supt. Davidson. - Received and adopted. From H. P. Hopkins, Christchurch resigning position as member owing to transferee Wellington.—Received ; The Chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks be accorded for past services. Seconded by Mr Wilson and carried. ' From Hokitika Fire Brigade notifying members who have qualified for service medals, and asking that authority be riven to procure same.—Received and authorised. From D. W. Heenan resigning position as nightwatchman to terminate at end of month.—Received; and resignation accepted. i From Secretary reporting receipts £124 18s., payments £66 Os 6d.; credit balance £l6O 6s 10d. —Received. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT [ have the honor to report that during the past year the attendance of your Brigade at all practice drills has been well maintained, aild the interest taken by members is very satisfactory indeed, during the year now ended we received and responded to only two Fire Calls, one proved to he an outbreak in an unused Smithy, and was quickly suppressed before much damage had been done, the other call however proved to be serious indeed, a building used as a shop in the centre of Revel! Street was found to lie burning furiously, and despite our best efforts all Urn hack portion was destroyed. However we were successful in confining the fire to the building in which it originated. The fronts of No 1 and No 4 stations require immediate attention, the woodwork is showing signs of decay. I would refer to your consideration the advisability of having a couple of electric lights installed in \'o 1 station, the present lighting is very unsatisfactory. I have finished the annual inspection of places of public amusement, and desire to report that the sliding door at the foot of the stairs, in the Opera House is still in position. As I pointed out in a. previous report if anything goes wrong with the sliding apparatus in a case of fire, or panic, the result would be disastrous. In the Princess Theatre, 1 recommended that the barrier gates across the four foot passages running from the stage to the escape doors in the front of the Theatre should lie hinged on the wall of the building. This has been altered and the gates are now hinged on the seats, the result is that when the gates are opened all who occupy the seats immediately behind the barrier are penned in, until the seats in frunt are empty. In the event of a Hurried exit being desirable this would cause serious trouble.

St. Andrews Hall, the bolt, securing the escape door is jammed and unworkable. ' On behalf of file Brigade I desire to thank you for helping, us in so substantial a manner and enabling us to be represented at the Demonstration held at Napier last February and I also wish to convey to you the best wishes of the Brigade. - Uetieivcd and recommendations adopted. The Secretary reported the Tell-tale Clock showed a number, of discrepancies during the period. —Deceived. ' The Estimates for the year totalled ' Colo 10s Bd., less credit balance £!)b 10s Bd., leaving £420 to be found as follows -Insurance Companies £189; Borough Council £lB9, Borough Council £189; Government £42. Received and adopted. Accounts amounting to £lO7 Gs 2d., were passed for payment. A Ironus of £o was voted to the Secretary on the motion of the Chairman and Air Wilson. The question of appointment of a nightwatchman was left in the hands of the Chairman and Secretary. The Board rose at 3.30 p.m.