FIRE BOARD REFUTES COUNCILLOR’S CHARGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 350, 10 May 1928, Page 10

FIRE BOARD REFUTES COUNCILLOR’S CHARGES

REPLY TO MR. MORTON BREEZE AT ONEHUNGA The Onehunga Fire Board indignantly refutes the accusations

F. S. Morton, and refuses to accept his letter, a copy of which was published in yesterday's SUN. Tho chairman of the board, Mr. W. C. Kemble, J.P., sent a copy of the Press reports of C. Morton’s remarks made before the Onehunga Borough Council to Mr. T. Hugo, inspector of fire brigades, Wellington, and in his reply tho inspector said that the Onehunga Fire Station was well and suitably designed for its purpose, with ample accommodation for all necessary requirements. The letter continued: “The fire tender is efficient and satisfactory. The street fire alarm system is one of the best and most reliable extant. I consider the brigade is well equipped, and as to the personnel, in my opinion, the superintendent is one of the most capable in the fire service and the brigade is an active and willing body of men. The men are efficient and on the alert, and there is no shirking of fire calls. Altogether I am greatly surprised at the criticism.”

The chairman said that the board would have taken no notice whatever of Cr. Morton’s remarks, but for the fact that they might cause undue alarm and uneasiness in the minds of the ratepayers of Onehunga. He moved, and it was unanimously carried, “That this board regrets that as Cr. Morton’s letter of May 6 refers to the action of the Mayor, it is unable to accept his communication, which is returned herewith. The board requests Cr. Morton specifically to the requests contained in its letter of April 30, and either prove or withdraw his allegations.” The chairman said further that the board’s expenditure had been approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs, that its accounts had been audited by the Auditor-General, and that if the people of Onehunga were not satisfied they had the power of demanding a poll of ratepayers by which the board could be wiped out and the control of the brigade be handed over to the Borough Council. He said that Cr. Morton had vis-

ited the fire station for the first time last Saturday, and had condemned the brigade on pure hearsay. Mr. R. G. Speight said that he appreciated the action of the Mayor of Onehunga (who was present at the meeting) for his firm stand in the council in support of the brigade. Mr. G. H. Brialy, representing the underwriters, said that the cost of the Onehunga Fire Board worked out at one and a-half per cent, per £IOO of premium. It pointed out that within the past three months the Onehunga Borough Council and the Oneliunga-Manu-kau Chamber of Commerce had voluntarily written to the Fire Board expressing their appreciation of the brigade’s smart work in suppresisng so many fires before any serious loss had been incurred.