LOSSES BY FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1926, Page 1

LOSSES BY FIRE

MOVEMENT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. DUNEDIN, Sept. 22. Fusing of electric wires caused a fairly heavy fire loss in the Dunedin tire district last year and this fact was commented upon by members iat today’s meeting of the Eire Board, when the annual report was being discussed. Mr W. B. Taverner said tlio matter had neen discussed by the Electric Power and Lighting Committee of the City Council, and the opinion appeared to bo that fusing was not a verj prevalent cause of fires, but, according to Superintendent Napier’s report, such was the case. The loss through the fusing of electric wiring had been very high. Mr J. J. Clark said that this loss was probably duo to neglect or Bad wiring. They had to include loss by electric irons, lamps and heaters when considering the total. The cause of so many such fires had been frequently discussed by tlje City Council. Superintendent A. G. Napier said the brigade was always in touch with the Electric Power and Lighting Committee. He included in the fusing list of losses only those which were definitely known to have been caused by fusing of electric wiring. Mr A. Burn said a very large number of calls had been received to fires caused through the fusing of electric wires and the backfiring of motor vehicles. He cited a case where a- house had been badly damaged, where, although they could not pfovo it, there was every indication that the outbreak was one to defective electric wiring. An effort Was being made to see if something could be done to educate the people in the prevention and danger of fire. Something was wrong when the total fire loss of the Dominion last year was over £1,000.000. This was preposterous in a country which had a population of just over a million. Perhaps, something could lie doiio to lower this lire waste by getting the Education Department to distribute printed information on fire prevention through the medium of the School Journal. Such information was distributed throughout, America. If tho people of this country could be brought to realise the grave loss that was being brought about through carelessness with naked lights, smoking and other ways, something might ho done to lessen the loss considerably. Tlio present great loss through fire was probably due to ignorance on tho part of the people. In connection with this matter the secretary of tho board read a letter from the Under-Sceretary of the Department of Internal Affiairs which referred to the large numbers of fires that occurred in the Dominion, and in consequence of the frequent loss of life and the excessive destruction of i property tho Government had published a circular entitled “Fire Precautions for Householders.” The Department of Internal Affairs suggested that all local governing Bodies might distribute tlio circular's m 'their respective districts.

The board, after discussing the matter, decided that something should be don© to educate the people to talce precautions, in regard to,fire. It was resolved that" a 'copy of the Government’s circular bo forwarded to the Otago and Southland Fire Underwriters’ Association.