Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1922. FIRE CONTROL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2414, 6 April 1922, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1922. FIRE CONTROL.

FOXTON has gained an unenviable notoriety for disastrous fires, not lhat it has had any more outbreaks lban oilier towns of similar size, but been use it does not possess the fire(igliling equipment 'to combat the fiery elements. Outbreaks in other places possessed of equipment and high-pressure water supply have been suppressed in the insipient stages. Not so Foxton. The public has had to stand helplessly by and watch thousands of pounds worth of property go up in smoke. Our only adjunct to fire fighting appliances up to about two years ago was a lire hell, whose clanging tones aroused the public from peaceful slumber, or labour —to look on. A volunteer brigade came into existence some two years ago, and the Borough Council provided it with a chemical engine, etc., and although the plant has been inadequate to deal with serious outbreaks, it; bns been the means of saving adjacent properties from destruction. The brigade has more than, justified itself during the short time it has been in existence. With the advent of the high-pressure water supply, the Borough Council made provision in the loan proposals for fire equipment, and £7OO was sanctioned by the ratepayers for this purpose. The Brigade conferred with the Council on the question of constituting the borough a Fire District under the Fire Brigades Act, and transferring the responsibility of administration from the Council to a Fire Board, thus distributing the. cost of upkeep equally between the Council, Insurance Companies and Government, 'flic Council was sympathetic., and acceded to the" request for a poll of the ratepayers on the subject, which was taken yesterday. The ratepayers, by 145 to 0, endorsed the proposal. The poll was not large, due probably to the inclement weather, but the voting indicated the* general feeling in the matter. When the sanction of the Governor-in-Council 1; obtained, steps will be immediately taken to procure a suitable site and erect ft station to house the motor and other equipment. Within the next six months it, is'hoped that Foxton will be provided with firefighting appliances sufficient to cope with the most serious 'outbreaks.