FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2394, 18 February 1922, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE.

.VISIT OF INSPECTOR HUGO. FIRE BOARD WANTED. A special meeting of the Fire Brigade was held in the Presbyterian Sunday_School Room on Thursday night, when Captain Hugo, Government Inspector of Fire Brigades, was present by invitation, to explain the procedure in constituting a Board'and Statutory powers in. connection therewith, and to give the Brigade an idea of the initial cost of efficient fire-fighting appliances, and any other information they required. - - .

There was a good attendance of Brigade members, and Mr H. Hamer presided, and extended'a-welcome to Inspector Hugo.

An apology for absence was received from the Mayor. Mr Hornblow, in outlining the position of"the present brigade, said that there was no difficulty in getting men to offer their services to save life and property, but the question was providing equipment and

maintenance. Efficient and voluntary service was assured, but the v stumbling block was assured finance to carry on. The local Borough Council was sympathetic, but it was unfair to saddle them with the re-

sponsibility and the whole burden of finance. The constitution of a Fire Board was the only fair and equitable way out if Foxton was to be brought into line with other localities in this connection. The Brigade, • after careful consideration, had come to this conclusion, and -in inviting the Dominion’s leading expert in fire prevention matters to confer with them, it was hoped that as a result of the conference definite steps would be taken to place fire prevention methods on a permanent and satisfactory basis locally. Inspector Hugo explained that it was not for him to advocate a FinBoard, and said that to have a Board in Foxton it was necessary first to hold a poll of the ratepayers, and if the poll were .successful, to get into touch with the Minister of Internal Affairs, who would arrange the preliminaries for the board’s constitution. Representation on .the Board would be as follows: One Government nominee, three memberrepresenting the local public and appointed by the Borough Council, and three members to represent the

insurance companies. The chief 'benefit derived from a Board was that 45 per cent, of the expenses in-

curred were defrayed by the Insur~anee‘ companies, 45 per cent-, by the local authority, and 10 per cent, by the Government up to £SO. In reply to a question, he said he had never experienced any difficulty in getting the money from either the companies or the Government. If the Council was prepared to spend £l5O annually, then it would mean that the Brigade woukUreceive £315 altogether. That meant that an annual expenditure of £315 would cost £l5O only locally. In all his experience he had only come acfbss two cases where the local people preferred local control to Fire Board control, and that was because of allowing excessive expenditure. If a local brigade was properly equipped and efficiently run it should only ebst in a locality such as this approximately £2OO a year. In answer to a question as to whether there was any danger of the insurance companies increasing their premiums in the event of forming a Fire Board, Captain Hugo said that that had been the threat of the companies prior to the Act being passed in 1908, but there was riot any risk on that score. FIRE STATION.

Captain Hugo recommended that a brick building be erected, and to be furnished with sleeping quarters for at least two men. He did not consider there would be any difficulty in getting men to sleep on the premikes, -and he always recommended this. He estimated the cost of such building at £7OO. The next point was the land. He objected to leased property. He considered it best to purchase the freehold. A quarter of an acre would be sufficient. A long lease from the local authority with right, of renewal might be arranged. APPLIANCES. ' ?

Some motive power was necessary to propel the present chemical engine. Dragging the machine was too much for the men. He found that it played them out too much, and when they reached the fire they ; were not at their best, as was necessary to get good results. Apart from this, they could not reach the fire quick enough. It was necessary to be on the spot two or three minutes after the alarm was given, otherwise it was - useless,! as the house or property would' be burnt dut. Another point" was that he found that men were not willing to pull a heavy engine to a fire. A oneton Ford truck would suit the purpose, and he estimated the cost, fit- „ ted up, at £350; WATER EQUIPMENT. The neeessary equipment for the water would be the hoge,-1,100 feet, £175; couplings, £24; two hydrants, s<e.Yl y and sundries £SO. The whole '—initial cost he estimated at £1,500. In conclusion; Captain Hugo gave the Brigade a very interesting lecturette .on the correct method of using 1 water power, and gave them various tips on flre-ighting generally. Captain Hamer, on behalf of the Brigade, thanked Captain Hugo for his advice, and said that he hoped that in the near future Foxton would be able to have a brigade on the lines sketched by the Superintendent, • -

A motion was then passed that a deputation wait on the Council at the next ordinary meeting to inform them of the advice received re Fire Board, and to request a poll of the ratepayers to sanction same.