HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1927, Page 1

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

MONDAY, JUNE 20th,

The Board met at 7.30 p.m. Present:—Hon. H. L. Michel (Chairman), Messrs .T. J. Breeze, A. It. Elcock, H. (;. Wiley and C. L. Green. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. VOTE OF SYMPATHY.

The Chairman referred to the recent death of Deputy-Superintendent H. A. Thompson, expressing in most appreciative terms, the lengthy 'service of the deceased in Brigade affairs. Ho moved that the Board place on record its deep souse of the loss sustained by his death. Seconded by Air Green and carried in silence, members standing. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Inspector Hugo, reporting on the annual inspection of the Brigade, which was very satisfactory.—Received. From same in reference to charge for services of Brigade members when in attendance at theatres on special occasions, stating the lessees were responsible.—Received; referred to Chairman and Superintendent. From Wellington Board notifying that proposed conference in Alay had been postponed.—Received.

From Alinjster of Internal Affairs asking for statistical information.— Received; to bo supplied. From Hokitika Fire Brigade notifying election of W. C. Ilr,addon as Superintendent and .1. J. 'Mclntosh as Deputy Superintendent.—Received and appointments confirmed on the motion of the Chairman, who expressed appreciation that Air Brnddon had agreed to continue in office for a further year. Seconded by Air Wiley and carried. REPORTS.

From Treasurer reporting receipts Clo 3 11s Id, payments C3(i 0s 2d, credit balance £92 0s 9d.—Received.

The Secretary reported the tell tale clock results were very satisfactory.—Received. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Gentlemen, —I have the honor to report that during the year now ended, your Brigade received and turned out to 9 fire calls. The loss resulting from these outbreaks amounted to £2194, of which sum the Commercial Hotel lire was responsible, for £l9Ol. The fire in this hotel had such n hold when discovered that the main effort of the Brigade bad to lie directed to the somewhat difficult task of preventing the outbreak spreading to the adjoining buildings. In this I am glad to snv we were successful.

Since your last meeting Death has visited tho Brigade, and 1 deeply regret having to report the loss of Deputy-Superintendent Henry Arnold Thompson, who lias been an honored member of this Brigade during the last 34.1 years.

Brigade members continue to take great interest in our work, all musters being well attended. Some members have not missed a single practice and you may note that Inspector Hugo in bis report makes very favourable comment oil their efficiency, also on the attendance at fires.

All gear is in good working order, with the exception of No. 2 Hose Reel which requires some slight overhaul. With regard to uniforms, I would recommend that 3 working tunics and helmets he procured, also 22 undress tunics, 30 caps for which were presented to the Brigade by Air 'William Newman, of the firm of Newmans Motors, a kindly and generous gift.

The Fire Police are in attendance at all fires and are proving to be of considerable value to us. They have all signified their willingness to serve during the coining year. 1 would like to advise them that it is of tho greatest importance for members of this body to wear their armlet's at fires, so that their authority may not he questioned. 1 have inspected the means of escape in the Princess Theatre, and find that the escape stairway from the dress circle, has become unsafe and requires immediate attention, the stairway will have to he renewed entirely, and I recommend, that when renewed it must lead into Sewell Street, instead of as at present into the Post Office Hotel yard, which' owing to a permanent building that has been erected there is now unsuitable and highly dangerous.

Received and adopted, it being resolved to arrange for the supply of new uniforms and to refer repairs to the fire escape to the Borough Council to send on to the theatre proprietors.

Accounts amounting to £lOl 15s Sd were passed for payment. The estimates of receipts and expenditure for the year was approved and it was. resolved to levy lor £5lO, as follows: Government £SO Insurance Underwriters . 230 Borough Council 230 Total '. £5lO The meeting terminated at 8.-10 p.m.