ONEHUNGA AGAINST FORMING FIRE BOARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 396, 3 July 1928, Page 16

ONEHUNGA AGAINST FORMING FIRE BOARD

COST OF BRIGADE

COUNCILLOR’S CONTENTION

The question of establishing a Metropolitan Fire Board was discussed last evening by the Onehunga Borough Council, which decided by seven votes to two not to support the proposal. A few weeks ago the Onehunga Borough Council requested the Fire Board to appoint an additional permanent man at the fire station at no additional cost to the council. A reply from the Fire Board indicated that such an appointment was quite unnecessary, but should it decide at any future time to augment the staff, the Fire Brigades Act, 1926, expressly provided that onehalf of the additional cost should be borne by the council. In discussing this letter Cr. F. S. Morton said that the cost of the brigade was equal to £4O a week, and that it was no more efficient under the Fire Board than it had been under the council, when the expense of maintaining it amounted to only £2 10s a week. He declared that the ratepayers were not getting a square deal, and thai the underwriters were being relieved of their responsibility by using the volunteers of the brigade to discharge their liabilities. He urged the council to go into the question with the object of getting a better deal.

If we do, we shall have to foot the bill, said the Mayor, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt. Cr. Morton moved that the council confer with other local bodies to discuss establishing a Metropolitan Fire Board. This was seconded by Cr. Hill. Cr. Morton contended that the Onehunga Fire Board’s finances were not being conserved as they should be It was costing too much for the service given in return. Cr. R. G. Speight, the council's representative on the Fire Board, opposed the establishment of a metropolitan board unless it could be proved that it would cost less than the existing system, and would render the same efficient service. He contended that it could be shown that with the addition of Tamaki and Avondale, the City Fire Board’s expenses would be much more excessive than those of Onehunga. When the question of Metropolitan Drainage and Water Boards had been examined, it was found that Onehunga had nothing to gain by joining up with them, and the same result woual, he contended, be experienced with the proposed metropolitan fire board The Mayor said that under a metropolitan fire board, the city would be the governing body, which would give it the chance of “putting the grips” on Onehunga. If, however, the contiguous local bodies combined to establish a greater Onehunga scheme it would meet with his approval.