THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public, Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1928. OUR FIRE LOSSES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5336, 8 October 1928, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public, Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1928. OUR FIRE LOSSES.

In his, ajiinual report to Parliament Captain, Hugq points Q|Ut. that, on a population basis, New Zealand records four times as many fires as most other countries. From the figures submitted) it would appear that thq New Zealander is rather careless in; this' respect, for it is indicated that last year sheer, carelessness was responsible for a national fire loss qf £67,544. This is, an old story now, but it is none: the les's important oin that accounjt. The- careless and dangerous, habit of .throwing down lighted matches last year accounted for, a Iq'ss of £24,117, while lighted! cighretteend’s took toll of property to the value of £16,165. The fire bill which New Zealand pays eve|ry year as the result of the careless habit's of its people warrants serious consideration. Once the public realises that its a.ctions inevitably, react upon itself a greater regard tor the national wellbeing will be observed. As fires become more nuniero,us, insuranfee premiums become higher, the upkeep of fircf-fighting equipment increases, while a huge economic, loss/ keeps mqunting up. A little more though: on t;he part of the individual would show that, each and every citizen must bear, his share in the of carelessness.