“A SCANDAL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 494, 25 October 1928, Page 1

“A SCANDAL”

Insurance Director Analyses Fire Loss N.Z.’S UNENVIABLE RECORD “The wastage by fire in this nominion has reached enormous proportions. Both in 1926 and 1927 | *ho value of property destroyed by i fire in New Zealand and paid for > by insurance companies was well above one million sterling.” Speaking at the annual meeting of the South British Insurance Company, held this morning, the chairman, Mr. \ j L*arner, reviewed the present proportion o£ Dominion tire losses. ••Houses do not catch Are of their own accord,” he said. “Some hazard has to be introduced, and this can be done unwittingly, carelessly or deliberately. “Of deliberate fire-raising, one is forced to the conclusion that there has been an increase.” Incendiarism is most difficult to s Drove, but, where there is the slightest I evidence of it, it is imperative that an exhaustive investigation be made j before a claim is admitted. "Of fires due to carelessness, the exercise of a very little care would have avoided many a loss. Of purely accidental fires, a common cause too little suspected is the defective chimney. This is generally due to bad workmanship with inferior material. Earth or clay used for mortar may involve not merely destruction of the house, but loss of life. "Another cause of fires was the electrical agent,” said Mr. Darner. “Properly controlled electricity was as. safe us apy other form of power or illuminant. Improperly controlled, nothing was more insidious or ruthless in its capacity for destruction. The outward appearance of an installation looked so sufo that very few considered where danger may lurk. How many took the simple precaution of putting up their main switch either when no current is being used, or when shutting up their house or place of busi- ' ness? How many, seeing a lamp losing i its brightness, reflected that the ex- j planation might be, not that the lamp ! was Wearing out, Lut that there might be a leakage circuit? NEED FOR INQUIRIES "If magisterial inquiries into the circumstances of fires were held, useful information might be obtained us to their causes, thus leading to a reduction in the number of outbreaks,” he declared. “Such inquiries to bo of any value would, however, have to be made in a spirit different from that in which they are now approached. "A suggestion of foui play should not be the only grounds for holding an inquiry. Unfortunately, unless this is the case, little or no interest is taken in the proceedings. Coroners and the police should realise that the main object of an inquiry is not to bring a suspected criminal to justice but to endeavour to obtain information that will tend to reduce this wastage of national substance. “Excessive insurance is linked up with this subject. It is a difficulty with which insurance companies have constantly to contend. Although building values fall, it is often with the utmost difficulty that a reduction of cover can be obtained. "The fact that New Zealand has earned a reputation for a fire wastage that amounts to a scandal, is the concern of every responsible citizen of the Dominion,” he added.