Hokitika Fire Board

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1922, Page 4

Hokitika Fire Board

MONDAY. JUNE 26th

The annua! meeting of the Ihuml was held at -1.30 p.m. Present Hon. H. L. Alichel (Chairman), Messrs 11. A!. Clou Ison, J. 11. Wilson, and ,J. Breeze. Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs Grierson. Cameron and F. McGregor. Ron. ff. L. Alichel was unanimously re-elected Chairman, on the motion of Messrs Coulson and Breeze, and briefly returned thanks. The minutes wore confirmed and cutward correspondence approved. S U PER f XTENDFNT’ S AXXU A L REPORT.

I have the honour to report that since your last quarterly meeting your Brigade has not been called out. I have great pleasure in recording, that drills and meetings of your Brigade arc always well attended, and that members continue to show the same whole-hearted interest in Brigade work that has distinguished them in the past, and is responsible for the high state of efficiency attained by the Brigade. and 1 desire to express my appreciation of the ready assistance aiid courtesy so fre-Iv rendered at all tiinr-s bv members to Deputy-Superintendent Davidson anil myself . During the past year the ironwork on the Towi r has been overhauled hut the handrail around the platform requires immediate attention. The indication plates marking the position of Eire Plugs are also in need of immediate attention, in some placesIhe plates ha ve been removed and on very few it is easy to read the direction even in daylight, at night of course il would he impossible, and the efficiency of the Brigade is seriously affected thereby. The doors and front of No 1 St'tion are badly in need of repairs and some of the out Stations also, only in a lossc

degree Obstructions in the Fire Escape pas, sages in places of public amusement still oeenr. I reported on this matin at your last quarterly meeting, hut the meeting was not held, and the report lias still to ho considered. I have completed the annual inspect ti°ii of places of public amusement,

and found the means of escape satisfactory at:—St. Alary’s Club Room. St. Andrews Hall, Supreme Hall, All Saints School Room. One handrail of the Dress Circle fire escape had broken away at the Princess Theatre, this has been repaired.

OPERA HOUSE. A leanto has been built oil the North side of the building, enclosing two esv.ipe doors, and only one door has been provided in the new structure, I recommend the proporiotor he asked to provide a door on the Eastern end of the leanto, also to affix indicators on the North wall pf same, showing the position of the new doors, each of these (loois to have the words fire escape printed’on them in bold letters also that a good light he kept burning (here who ntho house is used at night, for purposes of public entertainment. On the south side of the House, the (wo escape doors are blocked by sheds being built over them. These sheds require removing..

The united Fire Brigades biennial demonstration is to be held at Dunedin early in the coming year, these competitions are great aids in maintaining efficiency of Brigades and I have great pleasure in reporting that your Brigade piopose sending a representative team. Received"; It was resolved to take the necessary action, and to request the alterations required lie given immediate attention.

STTI’FR TNTKXDFXT’S BFPORT. Gclnt,lemon.—Since your last meeting, your Brigade lias been called upon to extinguish two Fires, the first in' an old building behind tins Government buildings, used as p storeroom |iy several Government departments, tlje second outbreak proved to he in the Commercial Supper rooms in Bevel I Street, both fires" being promptly suppressed, the damage being confined to the gutting of four rooms at tlio first call, and to ope roopi qt' the fieeopd

I regret having to report that I am experiencing considerable difficulty in keeping clear of obstructions, the four feet wide fire escape passages in the Princess- Theatre, extra forms being frequently placed in these passages, ! and on Lhe night of March fitli.. one of the escape doors was tied up with a i piece of i-ope. I am quite satisfied the blame does not lie with the owners of ! the Theatre, hut with the managers of theatrical companies using the building, and for their information I would recommend that a copy of the c-midi-tionk of license in a prominent place, he fastened on the wall of both ticket offices, and f also recommend that the licensing authority, the Borough (‘nun- i oil he asked to take a serious view of ; these continued breaches of one of their j own bye-laws, and I further rceom- i mend that no scats, ropes. barrier gates, periim luda lors. bicycles or obstruct ions of any kind whatcv'-r he allowed. in any passage in any licensed place of aiuuscmt-ni i i the Hokitika lire dist riel.... Received. It was resolved that the recommendations he forwarded io ihe Borough Council with a request for olfc-t to ho given thereto.

INWARD CUR DESPONDENCE. From Inspector Hugo, stating that an inspection of the Hokitika Brigade, its stations and equipment was made on 22ml Alaivli, when at the inspection muster there was present the Superinteiulct. Deputy and 21 firemen, a satisfactory attendance. ‘ldiC steam fire engine was taken to the wharl and there got to work, subsequently the manual engine was taken to the tank opposite Keller’s Hotel, and got to work in an exceptionally smart and efficient maimer. The lihiut-aiid equipment, was found In he in its usual good order and condition. Rereived. Umill Chrisi it iiiin ii I-ire Beard stating there had been all increased number of fahr malicious lire alarms in that city, and it had been recommended that the penalties for the ollence be increased, cud ask’ng lor support. Received and resolved that action he supported. From Kaiiicri Electric Ltd. quoting for supply i f light and lu-at for_ billtower. Rec iced and niter accepted. Front Hokitika Fire Brigade recommending Mr Win Braddon a- Superintendent and Mr C. Liu. idscu as Deputy SuperiiUciukut.- Received laud appointment (ciilirmcd, members generally eulogising the excellent services of the officers. Un,in same asking for authority to sc,ure service bars for members who have qualified. - Received and request grunted. The Secretary reported: Receipts £166 13s Id: payments. £226 Lb. Til: credit huh-lii c. .!_'!>7 16s 6d. -Received. The Secretary’s report of the telltale clock was received and accepted as sal isfai lory. ESTIMATES. .The estimates for the y, ar as drawn up were approved totalling L 170. allocated as follows:-

£ Hokitika Borough 2ho Insurant’!* ( .'ontpaniex 200 (InveniiiH lit 'i ke Kci r 1; : ' stoit <! a bonus of tr> I m tho 10 •! 0!! oi Ik.' ( hairimui and Ml Hi 0. vo. 1 Ml- Coul-rn refer; cd t ; I lit* illness of tin* Deputy oil pel intcndriit and it t\ a t , resolved i. lorwaril a letter to Mr Davidson expri.'~iug regret al his ill-, ni'ss and tloir hopes of a speedy re- 1 covery. I Accounts aniunnling to r l!)tl l-!s dd were passed for payment.