FIRE BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2714, 29 March 1924, Page 2

FIRE BOARD

QUARTERLY AIEETING.

The quarterly meeting of the above was' held in the Fire Station yesterday afternoon. Present: Air Hornblow (chairman) and Messrs Bryant, Coley, Smith, Rowe, Irving and R. Rangiheuea (secretary). Superintendent Hamer was also in attendance. An apology for absence was received from Mr Cray. CORRESPONDENCE. was read mid dealt with as follows; From Superintendent Barnard, of the Palmerston N. Brigade, forwarding four fire-fighting helmets to the Brigade on loan. —Decided to thank Superintendent Barnard for loan of helmets. From the Brigade, asking the Board to procure a uniform for the brigade messenger.—Referred to the annual meeting. From same asking the Board for a donation towards defraying expenses incurred by brigade in sending a delegate to the Rotorua conference.—Decided to make a grant of £2 2/- towards expenses and that in future, assistance he given only towards demonstration expenses. From Air J. Wyeth, making application for assistance ns nightwatchrnan.—Received. Correspondence was dealt with in connection with insurance matters and it was decided that the Board insure the men under insurance No. 4 for the following benefits: £2OO ai death by accident; £2OO for permanent total disablement; £IOO for permanent partial disablement; £2 per week for 26 weeks for temporary total disablement; at a premium of 8/6 per man per annum; together with the U.F.B.A. insurance cover, and that existing workers’ compensation policy he cancelled and refund he made. HOSE DRYING GALLOWS. After considerable discussion it was decided that a hose drying gallows be erected at a cost of £47. .Mr Bryant moved an amendment i hat one of the hydro-electric poles he erected with a cross arm which would equally serve the purpose and which could be erected at a cost of

£B. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder and the motion was carried. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. The Superintendent reported as follows: —

■ “During the last three months, the Brigade lias had two calls, one a false alarm and the other a tow fire at the Cordage Co.’s mill. In this a good save was effected without any damage being done. At this tire three lengths of hose burst, one through a fault in manufacture, the other two through deterioration; the remainder is all more or less damaged through want of propeaj drying arrangements. The Brigade have held 18 official practices with mi average attendance of 12 members and are now getting on well with the standard drills introduced at the Rotorua conference of the U.F.B.A. I would recommend that provision be made on the next estimates to supply the Brigade with 14 brass helmets, 2 white metal helmets, 9 spike axes, spanners and belts, a duchess chest for the spare bedroom and a retaining fee for members of the Brigade. 1 would affo call the attention of the Board to the fact that there is nothing to indicate the position of the alarm telephones, it is also necessary to have the hydrants fastened to the motor with some quick-release fastener as they keep failing off and bending the shanks. As no Deputy Superintendent.has yet been appointed 1 would like to recommend that Foreman Wilson be appointed to that position, my reasons being: He lias always taken a very keen interest in all Brigade matters, is (he oldest Brigade member, (myself excepted), is the most forward in his work and has never missed a practice.” Decided to see into the matter of meeting notices in connection with telephone alarms. Decided that the question of retaining fee, etc. be held over until aunual meeting. Decided to procure 500 feet of hose for the brigade and to make enquiries re procuring second-hand hose for practice purposes. Decided to appoint Foreman Wilson Deputy Superintendent. Accounts amounting to £llO 2/7 were passed for payment. Decided to procure quotations for helmets and to interview Inspector Hugo re the number neeessary for the Brigade. The report was adopted. Other business of minor importance was transacted.