TOKAANU NEWS

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 7, 27 February 1952, Page 3

TOKAANU NEWS

TUWHARETOA RURAL FIRK COMMITTEE > At a meeting of the Tuwharetoa Rural Fire Committee (constituted subsequent to and under the "Forrest and Rural Fire Act. 1947" and Governing Regulations), held on February 19, at Tokaanu there were present: — Messrs P. Alfred Grace (chairman), S. A. Darby, L. J. Rrooker, T. Arthur Grace and B. Maud. The meeting dealt with the usual business, and matters relating with fire prevention, obtaining further necessary fire-fighting equipment for use by the committee, and its four fire offieers of the area. This area which embraces a large area of f orest land,» comprising approximately 31,382 acres Crown and 54,000 acres Maori. The area is bounded on the Morth by the Waihaha blocks on the Western side of Lake Taupo and the iSouthern shores of the lake, on the West by the dividing rang between Taumarunui and West Taupo, on the South by the Tongariro and Kaimanawa Mountains, and on the East by the Tauhara South block near the Hinemaiaia river. There were three outbreaks of scrub fires on the area during the recent dry period but all were success fully dealt with and extinguished with no loss of timber. DOMAIN BOARD. A meeting of the Tokaanu Domain Board was held at Tokaanu on February 21. Members present were: — V. J. Ford (chairman), and Messrs P. Alfred Grace (acting secretary), T. Dempsey, A. G. Ferris, C. Bridgen and A. Withington. The meeting dealt with matters relating to the boards' finances, which are in a healthy state, and the caretakers' duties and other matters. The board deeided to elfect cer~ tain all round improvements and renovations to the bineral bath buildings and caretakers' cottage, and the bridge across the Tokaanu Stream, including. another painting of all the buildings. It was also deeided to arrange for further road and track signs for the domain area and approaches. YOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE A general meeting of the Tokaanu Volunteer Fire Brigade was held in Ford's Store, Tokaanu on February 19, when the Superintendent, Mr Bruce Sutherland, presided over the following members: — Rev. Father Aarts, Messrs H. B. Proctor, F. Hill, A. Withington, B. F. Edkins, H. H. Buxton, H. Mariu, D. J. Dempsey, W. Durham, G. G. Durham, M. Campbell and V. J. Ford (secretary). After the adoption of the minutes of the previous general meeting inward correspondence was received from the following: — Auckland District United Fire Brigades' Association, United Fire Brigade' Association of N.Z. U.F.B.A. Representative on Fire Service Council, United Fire Bfigadea' Association Conference Secretary, Taumaraunui Fire Brigade, Mangakino Fire Brigade, International Correspondence Sehools, North S'hore Fire Service, Mount Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade. The question of irregularity of meetings was then raised and after some discussion during which the Superintendent explained that it was not always possible to muster sufficient members to form a quorurn for a meeting during the busy summer holiday period, it was resolved that all future meeting be held' regularly on the first Tuesday of each month and that the annual general meeting follows the general meeting on Tuesday evening, March 14 next. In reply to the Auckland District United Fire Brigades' Association's l§tter concerning the projected visit to our Brigade by the secretary, Mr Kirkbride, the secretary was intructed to communicate with the association apologising for the delay in ack-

knowledgment and seek some suitable date preferably an evening or a week-end in the near future when our Superintendent would call a muster of members to meet Mr Kirkbride. * Matters jtor immediaite attention were brought up by the secretary and dealt with the painting of Fire Station, condition of brakes and head lights on Tender and installation of a light in the Fire iStation and one outside of same. These jobs to be proceeded with as early as possible with painting of building to commence this coming week-end. The repair of hoses was then dealt with, Mr Withington reporting that the Forestry Department would undertake this without charge providing that we test and mark where holes are. Afer reporting a credit balance of £4 17/6 in the Social Fund the meeting closed with th@ usual compiments to the chair.