FIRE PROTECTION.

Shannon News, 4 March 1927, Page 3

FIRE PROTECTION.

MEETING OP SHANNON CITIZENS There was a fairly well attended meeting of citizens in the Council Chambers oil Tuesday evening to discuss with the Borough Council the question of purchasing fire fighting appliances for the Borough. The Mayor (Mr Butt) stated that a recommendation had been made at last week 's Council meeting, that the citizens be asked to co-operate with the Council with a view to finding ways and means to purchase 500 feet of hose and the necessary hydrants, nozzles, etc. ; The cost of same was estimated at £7O, and that the Council were willing to find half this amount if those property owners in the business area who will derive benefit found the remaining half. He asked for discussion. In the discussion which followed, opposition was shown to the suggestion that those in the area which would benefit should subscribe half the cost; while against this it was pointed out that it was not fair to penalise, by asking to contribute, those persons residing, outside the proposed area. v A motion was moved by Mr Curran that the Council subscribe half the cost, the remaining half to be found by . way of a special rate, by those ratepayers in the area which would receive the benefit. This was seconded bv Mr F. H. Taylor. Mr Cunning said the Council were proposing to spend a certain amount but they are not going far enough. Why not raise money enough to enable them to give protection to the whole of the borough. He moved an amendment that the Council go into the question of providing an adequate firefighting plant for the whole district. Air Curran, with the permission of his Seconder, then withdrew his mo tiqn in favour of'Mr Gunning's amendment, Mr Hyde previous attempts to - get a fire brigade had been squashed owing to the cost and he was of opinion that the same thing would occur again. He still thought that the 30 or 33 property owners in the suggested area would be agreeable to pay a flat rate of £1 each. He had no objection to the motion if it could be carried out, within a given expense but he thought the Council's suggestion would meet the case at the pres-. ent juncture. Mr Curran, referring to the scarcity of fire plugs in the outside area, 'Said they would have to carry the water as far as possible and a ce'tair. number of sumps would have to be put ia. He pointed out that life and property at tire far end of the Borough was just as valuable as that in the congested area. Mr Gunning said very few extra plugs would be required in the outskirts of the Borough owing to the number of streams* Mr Downes: Would it not be chea] - er to put in larger pipes over the outside area. Mr F. H. Taylor said in Mr Gun-. ning's motion he recognised a great principle, which entitled all to protection. If they dealt only with the main streets, the man in the ontre would not bother about the unfortunate in the outskirts. Mr Hyde: As far, as those persona are concerned who live outside the suggested area, it would be far better for them if their house was alii w»;d to burn, if tHey are going to be burdened with taxes. Already these people are paying £2 to £2 10s per acre in rates, and even now in many instances, if their land was cut up the.> could not sell even at £5 down. If you are going to burden the outside areas you will cripple -the town. Mr Downes moved the following amendment, "That a committee be set up to go into the cost of a scheme for the whole borough and the repiping with 4-inch maina" He pointed out that if equipment was purchased foi immediate use, it would come in for the big scheme. He did not think out siders should have to pay for something they derived no benefit from. Mr Hyde moved a further amend ment, "That the people who can bo served by the present mains be aske,: to subscribe half the cost of the pur - chases as outlined by the Council." Mr Gunning added to his motion "That the Council be authorsed to se cure immediately the plant as outlinec by them." Mr Tliwaites said one point no touched upon was the formation of it lire district under a fire board. Then they would get assistance from the Government and the insurance companies. If they were going on with . the scheme it would be advisable foi them to form themselves into a firedistrict, then they would only have t;> find their quota of the cost. The two amendments were then put and lost, the motion by Mr Gunning - ~ the Council be authorised to procure the necessary fir< fighting appliances for the whole of the borough. Hose, hydrants, etc., required for the district, served by the < 6-inch mains to be procured forthwith and the fitting up of the rest of the borough be proceeded with at the earli est possible date."