FIRE-FIGHTING IS MORE EFFICIENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 27, 23 April 1927, Page 9

FIRE-FIGHTING IS MORE EFFICIENT

INSURANCE LOSSES FALL (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. - A report issued by the Government Statistician (Mr. Malcolm Fraser), covering insurance activities, states that a very satisfactory aspect of the transactions for 1925 was the decrease in the amount paid out by way of fire losses. The year 1924 reached the record total of £1,008,746, and the 1925 figure, although greater than any year prior to 1924, shows a decrease of over £146,000. There is little difference in the number of fires, and the reduction in the amount paid is due to the absence of any such serious losses as characterised the previous year. It should be explained that the figures used in connection with the period are covered by the accounts of the various offices. Figures show the following position in respect to gross losses: — Ratio of Gross Loss. Loss to Cover. £ Auckland 100,628 10.03 Wellington 93,011 10.94 Christchurch 25,41 S 7.6 S Dunedin 34,052 9.85 Rest of Dominion .. 605, 28.06 Totals 861,977 18.23 It is pointed out that the lower loss ratio experienced in the principal urban areas as compared with the remainder of the Dominion is due in a very large measure to the greater firebrigade facilities for handling fires in the larger centres.