HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1930, Page 2

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

THURSDAY, MARCH 28th. The Board met at 7.30 p.m. Present :—Messrs J. J. Breeze, A. R. Elcock, W. C. Braddon, O. L. Green, and K. B. Bain. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Secretary (Mr W. E. Gay lor) took the chair and invited nominations for the position of Chairman, vacant owing to the death of Hon. H. L. Michel. Mir Breeze moved that the Acting Chairman (Mr A. R. El cock) !<e appointed ' Chairman for the ensuing term. • Seconded by Mr Green and carried. Air Elcock took the clnui and thanked members for his election. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. Mr Elcock moved that the Board convey to Airs Alichel and lamily their deep sympathy in the loss they had sustained, and place on record its appreciation of the valued services rendered by the late Hon. 11. L, Alichel. The Chairman referred at length on the long services tendered as a member of the Fire Brigade and as Chairman of the’Board, since its inception. Tlie motion was carried in silence, members standing. A WELCOME. The Chairman took the occasion to welcome Air Braddon as a member of the Board. Air Braddon thanked the Chairman for his welcome, but deeply regretted the cause of such appointment. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Hokitika Borough Council notifying appointment of Mr AY. C. Braddon to represent the Council on the Board, vice Hon'. H. L. Alichel, deceased'.— Received. " From" Department of Internal Affairs, supplying'list of firms and companies Carrying on fire insurance business.—Received. From A. Sumner, acting watchman, asking that as lie had acred’for five and a half months, that he be allowed fifteen clays extra in lieu of the holiday that would have been granted the nightwatchman.—Received : no action taken. From Wellington Fire Board, re pensions and other particular. Received and information supplied. From Hokitika Fire Brigade applying for grant of £2O towards members fund.—Received. Air Breeze moved that the request be granted. Seconded bv Air Green and carried. From ATinister of Internal Affa’rs, in reference to the death of the Chairman, and stating steps would be taken to fill the vacancy.—Received. From Inspector of Fire Brigades (Captain T. T. Hugo) as follows: An inspection of the Hokitika BrL gade was made on the 13th January, when at the inspection muster the Superintendent and twenty-three Firemen were on parade. The steam fire engine was got to work from the river and proved to be in good working order; other inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner and the several hose reel stations with their equipment were found in good order. .1 would again recommend provision of motor transport for men and appliances. Outside the- question of quicker transport and the carrying of necessary appliances such as ladders, etc.', on the “first call’’ machine and =o materially increasing the fire fighting efficiency of the brigade, I would point out that it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain j •brigades on a voluntary basis such as obtains in Hokitika and modern equipment to a reasonable extent should be provided as an encouragement to the volunteer service.—Received.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. In presenting my report 1 am pleased to say that for the last six months the fire loss has not been heavy, the

most serious happening on November Bth, 1929, being a cottage occupied by Air Hewer in Upper Sowell Street, the insurance being National £250 on 'building, and 1.0. A. £l5O on furniture. the result being total loss of building and furniture. The alarm was given at 2.40 a.m. by Air Hewer calling Fireman Groufsky who immediately rang No. 2 bell, and No. 1 then picked up the alarm. Tlie Brigade was soon on the soot but the house was well gutted when the Brigade arrived. There was a good muster of men- and with two leads of water on the five was quickly settled. The next alarm was on January 9th, 1930, at 12.30 a.m. by Erie T.akin (Fireman) when on his way home he saw smoke coming from an empty cottage in Fitzherbert Street. He gave the alarm from No. ? Station which was picked up by No. 1. The Brigade arrived promptly and made a good save, hut the building was of little value and no insurance. There was a good muster of tlie Brigade. On the 19th January, 1939, about 2.30 a.m., an alarm was given by the Nightwatchman. The fire was in an empty hut on the 'beach at the hack of Beach Street.. It was cf no value and no insurance. There was a good attendance of the Brigade, and fortunately not much to do.

The Brigade membership s+nnds at full strength with the Probationers list (four) also full. I must ask your Board to place an order for 300 ft of canvas hose. While on mv trip to the T’.F.B.A. Conference held at AVhungprei I visited Napmr and had a demonstration of a Fire Motor which they wish to dispose of. their reason being tbqt the city buildings of several stories require a larger fire fighting plant. If your Board will be good enough to consider at their meeting the purchase of this motor offered I can give you f’ ll particulars.—Received, It was resolved to secure the hose asked for. and to enquire as to the cost of 160 Jopt of rubber lined hose.

Superintendent AMntosh who . was present gave particulars of a v isit to Napier and an inspection of the motor engine for sale by the Napier Fire Brigade. The machine was fitted with a Dennis, pump capable of throwing two jets over a two storey building, and was in good order. The machine had been placed for sale at £3io, but as the result of a request lor the lowest cash quotation was offered at £250 cash at Napier. The machine was the only one on offer in New Zealand arid at the price was a gift. It was eminently suitable for Hokitika. and could. be put in operation in one and a half minutes, a lover putting tho power off the, wheels on to the Dennis, pump.

A lengthy discussion followed in which Air Braddon urged the purchase of the machine. The town was expanding with fine residences m the outskirts and it was necessary to provide better locomotion.

Mr Breeze was in favour of procuring the machine. He spoke iiom long years of experience as to tlie necessity. Mr Bain moved that the Board take the necessary steps to purchase the motor tender from the Napier hire Board, subject to arrangements for finance being made, Seconded by Mr Breeze,

Mr Elcock said He favoured the purchase, but. members of the Borough Connell objected to additional cost being incurred. After a further general discussion tho motion was agreed to.

Accounts amounting to £241 Us 2d were passed for payment. The Treasurer reported receipts £129 7s 4d, payments £241 Us 2d, credit balance £35 0s Od.—Received. Tho Secretary reported the tell-tale clock record continued to be highly satisfactory, both with Nightwatchman and Acting Nightwatchman.--Receiv-ed. ANNUAL LEVY. The Board discussed the items of the annual levy, and resolved to take steps to purchase the fire motor, the Minister of Internal Affairs to : be asked for permission to obtain an overdraft of £250. It was resolved that payment be spread over three years at £IOO per year. The estimates as amended were then agreed to totalling £670, of which the Government finds £lO, and the Associated Insurance Companies and Hokitika Borough Council £3lO each, their contribution showing an increase of £45 each as against last year. It was mentioned by Mr Green that with the installation of a motor engine that the inclusion of the nightwatchman’s salary in the pie-sent year’s estimates would be the last one that would be necessary. The Superintendent stated iliac no extra expense would be needed for drivers for the new machine as there were sufficient members of Lhe Brigade who could drive and manage it. A vote of thanks was passed to Superintendent Mclntosh for Ins visit and inspection to Napier and the information supplied by the Board. A suggestion that expenses incurred should he allowed the Superintendent was vetoed by Mr Mclntosh, vho stated he had gladly made ihe in spcction, and the action of die Lo.nd in deciding to make the purchase more than recompensed him for any tiouble and expense incurred as he fully iccognised the value and assistance the motor machine would prove in assisting fire fighting in the town. Ihe machine would have a long lile and he hoped that it would not be wanted for actual service to any extent. He again expressed his appreciation of the action of the Board that evening. The Board rose at 9.30 p.m.