FIRE BRIGADE PLANT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12620, 3 December 1926, Page 8

FIRE BRIGADE PLANT

SOLD FOR £10,630 NOT PAID IN CASH DISCUSSION AT COUNCIL The disposal by the City Council to the Wellington Fire Board of the fire brigade plant caused some discussion nt the council meeting last evening, when Ihe finance committee recommended that the offer of the Wellington Fire Board to pay the sum of €10,630 15s 6d for the fire brigade plant bo accepted. Councillor R. A. Wright asked if the value of the plant had been assessed. The Mayor (Mr C. J. B. Norwood) replied that two assessments had been made—one by the council and one on behalf of the board —and a compromise had been effected. The underwriters’ representatives on the board had made up their minds that there was no provision in the Fire Brigades Act to oblige them* to take over the plant, and were accordingly not inclined to do so. The council’s „ representatives on the board had oontended otherwise, however, and had been supported by the Government representative, and the compromise had been made on this basis. Councillor H. D. .Bennett said the provisions of the Fire Brigade Act were absolutely unfair. On tbe face of it, it would appear that the council was to collect the ten thousand pounds straightaway for the plant, but this was not the case. The payments were to be made at the rate of 5 per cent, of the purchase price per annum spread over a period of 26 years. Jt would have profited the council more to have accepted a much lower .sum if it could have got cash. « Councillor Wright: Do we get interest 9 CONDITIONS DIFFERENT Councillor Bennett: The extra, six years over the 20 is supposed to oover that. Conditions had' been different when the Act was put through.- Jt meant that the council sold its property to an outside body and was not paid for it. The value of the plant should be assessed, and the Fire Board should have authority to borrow the amount named and pay straightaway for the sale. Councillor M. F. Luckie said it was recognised when the council went into the matter that any alteration to relieve the local position would involve an alteration in the general statute. The whole thing was unsound and unfair, and’it was a "wonder that it had been allowed to get there. He feared that, it was now too late to secure an still remain the property of the however, was patent, to all. The Mayor said the property, would still remain the property of the people of Wellington. Councillor Luckie: To all intents and purposes. ‘ The Mayor said that when the Act was framed the distribution of the purchase money over *26 years ; on. a basis of 5 per cent, yearly would probably have worked out all right. Councillor R. tyoKeen said councillors had agreed that ‘the position would be a difficult one to g€t out of, although it was estiroatea that the council would save about £BOOO net by the transfer. It was now a bit late in the day to seek amending legislation. The clauso was adopted.