THE FIRE BRIGADE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 44, 15 November 1912, Page 4

THE FIRE BRIGADE

And the Borough Council.

Situation of Bell Tower.

At Wednesd'-.y night's meeting of the Borough Council Cr Comrij reported that the committee appointed (01 the purpose hal at ranged to erect the bell along the fojtpath behind the "Timea" office, about a chain from King fctreet.

lhe decision was tpproved. AN INJUDICIOUS LETTER

' Under date November 9th the clerk to th2 Comcil wrote to the Brigade as follows: "Ri boss.—The four 50 feet lengths of hose together with tne necessary couplirgs and fitting, are the property of the Council waterwork?, a.d are only lent by the Council to the Fire Brigade, consequer.t'y you will see that it U not your gear, -ai chimed in jour letter, except with t e consent ot tr.e Council.

"Ends for nrzzles —Y. u are quite correct in Faying that several of thete have beei removed. The fittings in question are an odd lot belonging to the Spiral Pipe Company, and neither bebrg to the Council nor tha Brigade; consequently you have no reason for co.i.plaint on this fcore. "False alarm on am sorry that you should h«ve been called out en a fal.se alarm on Tuesday night, hut I suppose yoi do not wish to saddle the Council with tl.e responsibility fnr being lhe cause of this grievance also. "I am sorry *hat in writing you ?eem to have adopted a very injun d and domineering tore, and might I point out to jou the futility of adopting a bullying attitude when appoaching the Council. I think the Council have made it quite clear to tie Brigade that they intend to do all they possibly can for the Brigade, and it is only the want cf funds tea* prevents the Council from spending more money at present on the but I wish to make it clear that you will rot help matt-rs by adopting the tone used i i yur letter of the sth inst."

Cr Pollock: A very good letter I consider the letter from (he B;i gade wa? an impertinent one.

lhe Mayor: I read the Clerk's letter and rather approved of it.

DEPUIATUN FKOM BIUGADE. Several members of 'he Fire Brigade, including the captain (Mr Woods) Etd the secretary (Mr Thornton), waited on tte Council. Jhe captain said the Brigade had received a reply from the clerk to their request, and did not think it fair or right. The Mayor explained that the Council did not wish to presume nn taking any of the Brigade's gear without their approval or consent. As to the taking of the ho3e tor the demonstration he could aseure them that the Council knew nothing of it until afterwards

Th c captain emphasised tha point that if anyone could take the hose when they chose the Brigade rooH not be held responsible.

The Mayor: I quite agrep. It will rot be done in tuture. Mr Wyett, water ergineer, said the hose that had been used had never been handed over to the Brigade.

The captain said it had been placed in the Brigade shed. He add.d that the fire work caused a good deal of waste of time and members did not like to be impo-ed upon as well. The Mayor sail the Council re cognised the Brigade were putting in a i..t of time without pay. lhe captain asked what about the false alarm? Cr Hamilton said the Brigade should be paid according to the terms of the agre.ment.

This appeared to be agreed to by the Council witfout ciiscu sion.

The captain asked about the tower, and sugecsted that the reel shed and tower should be together. At piesent there was no place to dry tlie lose upon, and they could not carry the hose to ti;e to ver to dry it.

The Mayor said that Mr Kennelly did not i-ppear to particularly object to the bell going en the J own Hall site seition.

The captain asked that a water-tap be put in at the shed to be u?cd for washing-down purposes. This was agreed to.

The Mayer said it heel been un(fficially mcoted to have the library taken ever by the borough. If that were done they might be able to use part of the library section and have the bell-tower and reel-house there.

The- captain said it would cost £l7 for a bell-tower 28 feet high, without the reel-shed.

Cr Johns was opposed to this library site being used for anything else than ihe libiary. 'lhey should look ahead. In 50 or 100 years' tirr.c ihis might be a big place and the section only big enough for reading rooms and library purposes.

The captain repeated that as nrnst of the winds were westerly the Town Hall site wculd be the most suitable for the bell. After further discussion the motion fixing thf site for the bell was rescinded, on Cr Comrie's motion, a- d it was agreed that if the Fire Brigade could get authority from Mr Kennelly to erect the bell on the Town Hall sice that i» be erected there; if rot, it is to go behid tie "Times" office as previously agreed upon. Crs Comric and Kennelly were appointed a special Fiie Committee, to deal with fire brigade matters as they arise.

The Mayor, in a tone of relief: "Thcr* you are, if you have any furthi r grievances take them to those ('<> 'ii'illors, they'll fix you up." L'sptain Woods: Thank you for your hearing. Thn deputation then withdrew.