PAEROA FIRE COUNCIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4917, 18 December 1925, Page 4

PAEROA FIRE COUNCIL.

QUARTERLY REPORT CONSIDERED

NEW GEAR TO BE PURCHASED.

The following report was submitted by the chairman of .the Paeroa Fire Council (Or. F. E. Flatt) at Saturday night’s’ meeting of the Borough Council

“Owing to the general advancement of Paeroa, and the interest that lias been rendered by the people of Paeroa, the council have held a special meeting to review their position. The people have provided funds to the extent of £297 13s 4d for a motor reel, a,nd we understand. the Council is also prepared to assist financially in this direction. Toi bring the fire brigade up to a state of efficiency in keeping with the pre’sjent-day methods adopted in centres of a size similar to Paeroa it will be necessary to, provide new and better, fire-fighting appliances’, and with this end in view we submit to. .the full Council our balance-sheet to date, and also an estimate of what is required to carry out this object:

“The present couplings, hydrants, unions, and branches are obsolete, and now that the: reel is in view an effort should be made to secure the latest fittings, .both for -fire-fighting and to give our members an opportunity to compete: in New Zealand competitions. The above gear has now been in use for the lasjt 21 years, and is a decided handicap to the brigade. “With the exception of £22 16s spent in 1924, the brigade has had no n'ew uniforms, since 1908, and it isrecognised by the Fire Council that this question will have, to be dealt with in the New Year.

“To give effect to the above proposals a further sum of £l9Ol is needed, and in approaching your Council for assistance we would point out. that the business people, through the good offices of the Orphans’ Club, have already responded generously, and that a contribution from your Council would be the most effective way to reach residents outside the business area. In keeping with the new fire station and motor reel, the above improveinents are needed, and we ask your Council’s consideration of our request in the above direction. “Suggested expenditure on new equipment: Motor reel, £300 ! ; 13 uniforms. £7O : 18 newi couplings, £45 ; 2 hydrants, £l4'2 unions, £6; '5 branches, £4 10s; 4 axes, £2 8s; 2 belts and pouches, £1; 5 spanners, £1 2s 6d; 2 ladders. £lO ; upkeep for 12 months, £4O. Total, £494 0s 6cl. uTotal moneys collected from February, 1918, to December, 1925 : Borough Council, £265; public, £266 6s Id. Total, £531 6s Id.” It was resolved to authorise the purchase of coupling and accessories at a cost of £BO, the other matters contained in the report being held over until the next council meeting pending a report on the type of motor reel and estimated cost was received.