FIRE BRIGADE LOAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 3, 25 March 1927, Page 13

FIRE BRIGADE LOAN

THE NEWMARKET SERVICE DIVERSITY OF OPINION That some difference of opinion exists in regard to the plan to raise a. loan of £4.500 to provide a new lire station and engine sit Newmarket was indicated at a largely attended meeting of ratepayers of the borough, presided over by Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., at the Municipal Hall last evening. The proposals were outlined by Mr. G. E. Smerdon. Deputy-Mayor, who. in speaking in favour of the proposal, said they were setting out to substantially improve the fire-fighting facilities of the borough. Altogether there were three proposals, viz., setting un a local fire board: joining with the Auckland City Fire Board: and providing a new station and engine. The cost v.as estimated at £6OO a year, includ.ng maintenance charges and interest. The Mayor, Mr. Donaldson, in opposing the proposal, said that he did not think the expenditure should be incurred at the present stage. He emphatically denied that the desire to become included in the Auckland T ire Board’s district also meant the thin end of the wedge of Newmarket becoming absolutely united with Greater Auckland. There was no keener opponent of amalgamation than himself He quite agreed that the council could improve the present service, but opposed the proposal on the grounds that other systems had not yet been investigated. Mr. A. Kent said he believed that human life and property of a value of nearly two million pounds should have better means of protection against fire than what at present existed. Instances of the difficulties under which the brigade were working ere instanced by Mr. T. J. Watts, captain of the brigade, who strongly urged those present to give all the help possible.