THE AMATEUR AND THE EXPERT.

Shannon News, 12 February 1929, Page 2

THE AMATEUR AND THE EXPERT.

ONLOOKER CRITICISES FIREFIGHTING METHODS. AUCKLAND, February 4. Replying to a complaint by a bystander regarding the Are brigade’s methods at a recent Are in a large house at Remuera, Superintendent Wilson (said: “The modem practice and the best practice is to get inside the building to where the firemen can see what they are doing. The policy is to Aght the Are scientifically, not to cause damage, but to minimise it,, I admit that this robs the Aglit of some of its spectacular aspects, but oua'job is not to provide thrills, but to put the Are out with all possible speed and the least possible damage.” “That Are was described as 'a good save/ but I fail to see how that can be claimed/’ said the complaining bystander. “The Are was in the roof, and had the Aremen cut a. hole there and played the water down on to the Aames the loss would have been only a quarter of what it was.” “I saw that Are, and so did Inspector Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades in New Zealand, and we both agreed that the men vent about their work in the proper manner and did effect a very good save,” Superintendent Wilson said. “To make that Are a really good blaze, and perhaps cause the destruction of the whole of the building and its contents, all it wanted was a draught, and that would have been provide! by putting a hole in the roof.”