PAEROA FIRE BRIGADE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5040, 15 October 1926, Page 3

PAEROA FIRE BRIGADE.

<3, REPORT OF FIRE COUNCIL. SATISFACTORY POSITION SHOWN. The following report of the Paeroa Fire Council' was submitted to last night’s meeting of the Borough Council by the chairman (Cr. F. E. Flatt) : “A glance at the balance-sheet will disclose: Balance in hand April, 1926, £223 2s Id; receipts fo'r period under review, £137 3s, including borough grant, £125 ; expenditure, £357 10s sd; leaving a credit balance; of £2 4s 10d. The principal item,s> were: Fire reel, £264 15s 6d; equipment, £7O Is 9d. With the: exception o>f the balance of nqw uniforms required, the brigade is now on a 'reasonably good footing.

“Practice.—The new reel is ip good working order, and the brigade, under Captain Moore, is busily engaged in acquiring new methods necessary under the new conditions. The brigade’s report shows that there were two fire call&, one being a false alarm. The brigade is at its full strength of 14 members, these being : Captain Moore, Lie,ut. Moore, and Firemen Rolton, Wilton, Roltpn, Martin, Robinson, Scott, Malcolm, R. Nield, C. Nield, W. Ward, Burke, and E. Shaw', secretary. “Alarm.—Captain Moore 'expressed satisfaction with the promptness of the brigade in getting aw, ay when the recent alarm was given, this being partly due to having the men sleeping on the premises.

“Bell.—The brigade is of the Opinion that a cap is necessary on the new file,bell tower, as none of the firemen living close to the station can hear the bell. A cap would rectify this and also protect the bell. It was resolved, to give effect to the recommendation.

“Plugs—We would ask your Council to have put in order two plugs, one near Nurse; Clymo’s, in Moore road, and. one in Belmont Road near the Paeroa Hotel. The former does not fit the hydrants and the latter is badly bent.

The matter was referred to the chairman of the Fire Council, wiith power to act.

“Allowance.—The Fire Council also recommend an increase in the allowance to the brigade for caretaking purposes of from 5s to 10s per week. Now that the reel is in use much mot'e work is entailed, and we are Of the opinion that the higher rate of remuneration is necessary, and we would also point put that both men sleeping on the premises, are being trained .as motor-d'rivers.

If was decided to increase .the allowance, provided the additional expense did not mean that this, year’s subsidy of £l5O would be exceeded.

Cr. Flatt ihtimated that there Was about £25 of a credit balance. The Mayor said that one of the penalties Of having modern equipment was the increased cost of maintenance.

“Uniforms. —It is desirable that the brigade should have the balance of the new uniforms, and to this end £l5 haye already been collected. This matter will, however, be again reviewed at the end. of the year. “The brigade very much appreciates the gift Of an alarm bell made by the Northern Steam Ship Co'. This has been placed on the reel. “It is expected that Captain Watts will shortly be here on a tour of inspection, and should the report be favourable it might be as well to' advise the Underwriters’ Associa'ion so that Paeroa town may be considered when the classification lists are under review.

“We regret to. record the loss of the late Fireman J. Hubbard, who, during his long and valued service, earned the respect and esteem of every .member Of the brigade.”