HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1927, Page 2

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

The Board met on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Present;—Hon. li. L. Michel (Chairman), Messrs H. T. Wiley, L. C. Green, and J. J. I ire cite. An apology was made for Air Elcoek. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Department of Internal Affairs approving of estimates.—Received. From S. W. Ridland, asking for annual leave.—Received and granted. From Wellington Fire Hoard, report of Fire Board Conference. —Received. From Canterbury Underwriters’ Association, in reference to charges lor salvage labour.—Received. From Audit Department returning balance sheet.—Received. From Internal Affairs Department, forwarding Inspector Hugo’s report.— Received. S UPER IXTEXDEXT’S REPO RT.

Since your last meeting your Brigade received and turned out to three lire calls. One was in it private dwelling and was extinguished before much damage was done. The next outbreak however was the most serious we have had for many years, and although we were successful in confining it to the two buildings which were blazing furiously when we were called, the damage clone was great. The fire was fanned by a very heavy westerly gale, and practically destroyed the whole o! Sime’s tea rooms, and most of Hallenstein Bros.’ clothing factory, one corner alone of which was saved, containing stock valued at about £4OO. The next call proved to he only a chimney fire. Tlie total fire loss since your June meeting is £5,08-1. The Eire Police proved their usefulness in a very unmistakeable manner during the serious fire in Revell Street, giving valuable assistance to the Brigade by keeping onlookers from pressing too dose, and thereby hampering our efforts; and 1 am pleased to say they removed the whole of Mr Breeze’s stock to a place of safety in such a creditable manner that Mr Breeze informed me he had not missed a single pair of boots.

The steam fire engine was put into action at the Revell Street fire, and ablv driven by Engineer Findlay and bis company threw a splendid stream of water, which greatly aided us in bolding the fire to the two shops mentioned above. The engine lias recently undergone and satisfactorily passed its annual inspection by the Inspector of Machinery.

At an elocutionary competition held in the Princess Theatre there was grave over-crowding, and as a warning to the public that it was an offence to sit or stand in a fire escape passage in any place of amusement, during a performance, an action was taken against a young man for standing in one of the passages. It was made clear to the Magistrate that the action was not for punitive reasons, but simply to let people know that it was a grave offence to stand in passages provided for the purpose of allowing the audience to escape in safety should an emergency arise, calling for a quick clearance. The Magistrate said after hearing the evidence that as the young man concerned had left the Theatre when directed to, lie had not intended to obstruct the passage, so the ease was dismissed. Received and approved. The tell-tale clock report was received as satisfactory. The Acting-Treasurer reported receipts £2BB 5s 2d. payments £IGB 12s 7d, credit balance £125 Gs 9d.—Received. It was resolved to grant Mr A. A. Andrcwos (Secretary) side leave from Ist December to 31st March at half salary. Mr W. Gaylor to continue as acting secretary. The Board then rose.