FALSE ALARMS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5041, 18 October 1926, Page 2

FALSE ALARMS.

PAEROA FIRE COUNCIL OBJECTS.

MAYOR EXPLAINS THE POSITION.

It will be remembered that on the evening of September 14 the Paeroa firebell peajed out .a long and continuous alarm, and many pepple rushed excitedly into the streets, expecting to witness a serious conflagration. Instead, it was later learned that the alarm was an intentional false one give.n for the purpose of testing the bell in its new position, and also to try out the new motor fire-reel. The incident had its sequel a : t the meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council on Thursday night, when the following resolution was forwarded by tlie Paeroa Fire Council: — “That this council does not approve of the methods adopted in giving the recent practice alarm of fire, and requests that in future the arrangements for all practice alarms be left in the ha.nds of the Fire Council.” Cr. F. E. Flatt, chairman of the Fire Council, said that he had been asked to bring the recommendation forward, and stated that it appeared to be. the wish bf the Fire Council that any matters dealing with the brigade should be arranged by the Fire Council, and not by the Borough Council. The Mayor (Mr .W. Marshall) reminded the meeting that the Fire Council had no entity, and should be subservient to the Borough Council, which owned the whole of the brigade’s premises and equipment. It was as well to remembejr that the Fire Council was merely a sub-committee of the Borough Council, instituted for the purpose of closer co-operation .and, he hope,d, efficiency. He explained that it was not by his instructions that the false alarm h,ad been given, and detailed wha.t had taken place in connection with the matter between himself, the foreman, and the superintendent of the brigade. The Mayor said he readily recognised that the i©solution wa.s .a move to pin-prick and upset his actions, and he was fully cognisant of the mover of the resolution.

These remarks, brought Cr. de Castro to his feet, and he said that he was. the mover of the resolution, and had no wish to hide his identity. He contended that such alarms were within the province of the Fire Council, and he objected to the methods adopted when the alarm in question was arranged. As a member of the Fire Council he had received no intimation of the false alarm having been ordered, and he considered that he had a right to know. It was* refreshing to hear the Mayor’s, explanation that he had not ordered the and said that even the captain of the brigade had no rght to do such a thing without reference to the Fire Council.

Cr. Flatt tried to pour oil on the troubled waters by saying that there was some justification for Cr. de Castro moving the resolution because the Fire Council had been of the opinion that the Mayor himself, or through the foremiajn, had given instructions to the brigade captain that the false alarm was to be given. In a spirited manner the Mayor stated that he realised that he had been attacked, and he claimed the right to reply. He. ha ; d not admitted that he had had nothing to do with the matter, and contended the captain had a perfect right to order a false alarm. The station and equipment had been inspected by himself and the foreman, and it wag suggested that a test should be made. Later, when he was advised that the alarm was to* be given, he had called upon Cr. Flatt .and advised him, as chairman of the Fire Council. A great deal of had been made out of the incident, and Cr. de Cas.tro’s harrowing description of people’s nerves being upset because of the alarm was very much overdone. The alarm had been carried out in the interests of the whole town and the efficiency of the brigade. Persons who objected showed limited experience, as false affirms were carried out in every town and in all parts of thq worid. Cr. de Castro interjected that in the towns electric alarms* were in vogue and the public was not subjected to a continuous and nerve-rack-ing clanging of the bell. The Mayor gave a vivid description of the coastguards apd lifeboatmen on the coasts- of England having to launch boats and risk their lives in the broiling surf for the sake of carrying out a false alarm of a wreck. So far as the night in question was concerned he was satisfied that the position had been grossly exaggeratedIt was not reasonable to suppose that the superintendent of the brigade would take instructions from the foreman, even supposing the speaker had Ordered a trial test. In his opinion practices should be held whenever necessary, and the efficiency of the brigade should be helped and encoura'ged in every way. Cr. Flatt said that there had been a misunderstanding, as the general opinion in the Fire Council was that the alarm had been engineered by the Mayor. However, it appeared that he had done nothing more than make a suggestion. ,Cr. Flatt moved that the explanation, be referred to the Fire Council.

Seconded by Cr. de Castro, who s-aid that he would like to add “and that all future alarms be controlled by the Fire Council.”

Cr. Flatt objected to the. .additional clause, which was withdrawn, and the resolution was carried.

Cr. Brenan said that although a member of the Fire Council he was unfortunately away on the night of the alarm. However, he wished it to be, clearly understood that he expected to be advised of any work or arrangements made for or on behalf of the Fire Council, otherwise it would be necessary to elect another member in his place. The incident .then closed by Cr. H. J. Hare saying that he .thought Captain Moore, was to be commended for not passing round word that .a (false alarm was to take place, but he thought mejnbers of the Fire Council had a right to know what was ; doing.