Fire Prevention Area..

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3586, 17 October 1905, Page 2

Fire Prevention Area..

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

The meeting of ratepayers called for last evening at the Borough Chambers was not largely attended, beiog presented-Messrs Hen., Moore, A. Speirs, W&, was *° t tb ® , b who explained the JJJ® meeting. It was with area likely to be touched by t.™ W prevention proposal. The meeting had not been long itf progress when the chairman bad occasion to rebuke Mr A. Speirs, who contended that the chairman (Mr Hen. nessy) always tried to "jump eo” hl Such a remark wae too much for Mr Hennessy, who immediately vacated the chair. , ... , .. Then Mr Speirs proposed thas Mr Haywood take the chair, but that gentleman declined, as also did Me Jenks. . . ■ Finally, the meeting beiog strongly I in favour of Mr Hennessv, that gentleman resumed the head,of affairs. The meeting then assumed a serious aspect, and slight discussion was entered upon the real object of the ratepayers assembled. Mr Jenks questioned the power of the meeting to propose any new ideas to the Council. That should come fr6m ; the Council. ' ,

Cr Spelts contended that there as a body of ratepayers to dis- , cuss schemes to place before the Council.

Mr Deßidder/ advocated his last schetpe as set out in the ’“ Herald.” . Mr Jenks said he supported the<' scheme as proposed at the last meetg ing of ratepayers in the Town Hall, and was not going back on it unless a' better scheme was put forward. dr Speirs outlined a scheme be had thought of. He was against any antiquated manual engine. His idea was to force water With a steam fire* engine from the river through pipes , into Main St., where hydrants could be fixed where required. He was ’ against the wells ot stagnant water in’ - Main street as it would be a cause of disease. ■

The Chairman stated that the steam fire engine was voted to be impracticable by the last meeting of ratepayers. In continuing bis scheme Mr Speirs estimated that it ceuld be carried oat for £2OOO. The upkeep could be borne : by the ratepapers of the Main St. area and the extra rates would be saved by the reduction in insurance rates* The Council could attend to the for* mation of a Fire Brigade. ■ . The Chairman thought that the time lost in getting up steam would be/ taken into account so that hot much reduction would be made, to insurance.

Cr Speirs thought it worth enquiring into. '?•>* Mr Deßidder again advocated his ,V' scheme. He said it was a pity that such a scheme as proposed at last ; meeting should be placed before rate* " payers. s Mr Walker maintained that schemes that have proved successful in other : towns should act in Forton. j. i Mr Haywood said that.the Main St, was not prepared to go in for an expen* sive scheme. v; Mr Barnard remembered water b#-‘ 1,5 ing forced from the sea up to Tory Street with a manual engine Wellington. >i , The Chairman questioned the use of putting down wells if a manual en^w

could force the water from tM fiver to * Main St. After further 'JifchVtission, Mr Haywood proposed, and Mrjenks seconded p- “ That the Council be asked to obtain further expert opinion whether water could be forced from the river with a manual engine with sufficient force to cope with a fire on Main St. Failing that, the scheme us favoured at the last meeting to be adopted,” Mr De&iddor moved as an amendment “ That the Council be asked tn nuke all enquiries about capabilities of a. manual engine, but that this ™ e filing does not approve of walls in Street if no better scheme could be put Wore ratepayers.” The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and the motion was put ancl carried, Mr Deßidder alone dissenting. Mr Jenks moved and Mr Perreau seconded, “ That this meeting approves of the Main st. area as set out by the Council.” Carried. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.