HOW FIRES START

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1926, Page 3

HOW FIRES START

YEAR’S WASTAGE £1.050,919. WELLINGTON. Sept. 6. The total fire loss throughout the fire districts in New Zealand for the year ended June 30. amounted to £352.638. against £306,114 for the previous year, an increase of £46.524. The four heaviest district losses occurred in Dunedin (£59,631). Christchurch (£35.913) Auckland (£26,613), Greymouth (£25,227). 3he fire waste throughout the Dominion for the year

1925 is estimated at £1,050,919, or 15s 3d per head of population. Mr T. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades, points out in his annual report, tabled in the House to-day, that a serious aspect of the year’s working was the large number of fires returned as due to incendiarism. In all fortytwo occurred owing to this muse. A total of 123 occurred owing to sheer carelessness. Under this heading are grouped fires duo to electric irons, matches, smoking, cigarette butts and live ashes. There are presumably many more under the same headings, hut fire having destroyed all trace of the cause they are hidden amongst the 282 fires returned as of unknown origin. Obviously the fault lies in the widelvsprend want of sense of responsibility in such matters, to counteract which it is necessary to get in early, and the remedy is first, as advocated years ago. the adoption of the system in vogue in Amendi, making instruction in fire prevention matters for one hour per month compulsory in State colleges and schools. Tu this connection tlm United Fire Brigade Association

in March, 1921. at their conference in Napier passed a resolution asking the Government to adopt a similar system in New Zealand. Secondly, to follow the example of other countries and -inaugurate an annual Fire Prevention Week. This could well lie carried out in commotion with Health Week, already established in several towns.