FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1067, 9 July 1912, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE.

WATER SUPPLY AND

DRAINAGE.

At last night’s Council meeting the Mayor moved that in view of the loss of property recently by fire and the fact that the Council now holds a considerable sum in gas meters, connections, etc., in the Main Street, that it is'desirable that steps be at once taken to formulate a scheme of fire prevention and with that end in view a letter be written to the Chairman of th Palmerston North Fire Brigade t allow Superintendent Barnard to visit Foxton and advise the Council as to the equipment required for the purpose, and that a special meeting be called when the visit is arranged. There appeared to be unwillingness on the part of Councillors to second the motion and it passed right round the table before a seconder could be obtained, Cr Coley at last putting bis name to it. In speaking to the motion ths Mayor said that the recent losses by fire were a good argument why the present time was an opportune one for the consideration of obtaining some fire prevention appliances and the establishment of a volunteer fire brigade. In looking through the municipal hand book recently published, he had found that all boroughs of any size at all had made provision for the fighting of fires. In most cases the Council - make annual grants to the brigades. The Mayor said if he thought there was any immediate prospects of getting a water supply he would shelve this matter, but be did not think there was. He contended that the Council could not put a water loan before the ratepayers until the gasworks were given another year’s working. He did not think any Councillor would suggest putting the proposal forward until then. Under these circumstances the very earliest possible date in which they get a water supply would be two years and he was of opinion that they should make some provision for fighting fires in the meantime. They could easily make provision tor dealing with fires in their incipient stages. Both the recent fires in Main St. could have been extinguished if they had had au engine. Another thing that should be taken into consideration was the meters, connections, etc., that the Council had in various premises. The loss in the recent fires in connections, leakage of gas, etc., was considerable, and there was also the loss of gas consumption until the buildings were re-erected, to be taken into consideration. He admitted they were a little unprogressive, but he really believed that the question of a fire brigade had been shelved because they thought they would have had a water supply before now. He bad ruug up the Mayor of Palmerston, who had staled there would be no difficulty in getting the Fire Superintendent down, and the Mayor said he felt sure the Council would find it a good speculation.' Cr Greig said bis objection to seconding the motion was only because the wording of it made it appear that because the Council had property in Main Street they wished to protect it. He approved of getting the Inspector down, as he felt sure that both the recent Main Street fires could have been put out had Foxton possessed a fire engine. He considered a chemical engine would be a splendid investment, as it would provide something to fight fires in their earlier stages. Cr Chrystall considered the least that could be done would be to get a report from the superintendent. Cr Adams opposed the motion. He said that the recent fires had clearly indicated that the time was opportune for again bringing forward a proposal for an efficient water supply — Cr Speirs : “And drainage.” Cr Adams: “Yes; and drainage.” Continuing, he said the time was now ripe for this proposal to again be submitted to the ratepayers. To do as suggested by the motion was a meaus of postponing the big scheme for au indefinite period. He had seen these chemical engines in use in various towns in Fmgland, and it had been proved that they were practically useless. If Foxton was to have a fire brigade to be of any use they must first get a water supply. He considered the motion was another red herring drawn across the scent of the main scheme.

Cr Coley said he would support a water scheme provided there was a water area.

Cr Speirs said he would support tj*e motion but at the same time reserved to himself the right to support or oppose any scheme brought lorward in this connection. He believed he would support the purchase of a chemical engine, provided it would also be of use after a water supply had been obtained, but he would not agree to go into any expensive scheme at the present lime. He thought the time was opportune for again putting forward the water scheme previously rejected by the ratepayers. He suggested another conference with Mr Cliraie with a view to again putting the scheme forward. He thought it would be a good idea to submit a proposal tor a loan to cover water, drainage and a fire brigade. Cr Gibbs supported the motion, reserving to himself the right to vote on the question as he thought best. Cr Richmond said he would oppose the moticu. A small chemical engine would be no use, and it would cost close ou to get oue that would be efficient. A

small engine would be useless unless they got to the scene when the fire was just starting. He took it that the majority of the ratepayers wauled a water supply. The Mayor in replying said the motion referred to other property in Main Street as well as that owned by the Council. He took objection in a kinaly way to the statement of Cr Adams that this motion was a red herring across the scent. That was not so. He brought the motion forward so as to get Superintendent Barnard down to suggest a reasonable scheme. He agreed that the present time was an opportune one for the inauguration of a water scheme. The time had been opportune for years past, but the ratepayers didn’t think so and threw the proposal out when it was submitted to them. He didn’t think there was one Councillor that was “game” to face the ratepayers with a water loan proposal until the gasworks was paying its way. It would be fully two years before they could get a water scheme and he considered that something in the interests ol fire prevention should be undertaken in the interim.

The motion, on being put, was carried.