FOREST FIRE PROTECTION

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 38, 1 October 1952, Page 7

FOREST FIRE PROTECTION

CO-OPERATION OF OWNERS AND OPERATORS A well attended meeting, called by 'the Tokoroa and Oraka Rural Fire Committees to discuss co-op-erative fire protection, was held at "Kinleith on Saturday, September 13. Many prominent forest owners, sawmillers, logging and cartage contractors, and representatives of the Ministry of Works , and Railways Department were present. The chairman of the committee welcomed those present and opened the meeting with a review of the legislation under which the fire districts were constituted and the committees set up. He outlined their activities, dealt generally with fire prevention, detection, suppression, and asked ail present for their co-operation in carrying out these duties. After the chairman's address, the meeting was thrown open for general discussion and for questions. One operator gave an instance of a fire started by the careless use of wax matches and told of his difficulties in complying with the Regu^ation in fitting two-gallon ^xtinguishers to tractors. Other operators were able to give information of how tOey had overcome such problems and all . were told that the services of experienced fire officers were available free of charge to help overcome any difficulties they may experience. The use of chain saws was discussed, and it was agreed that information about small fire extinguishers* suitable for carrying on these saws would be circulated to all opeAators.

Many other matters of interest were discussed, and at the conclusion it was felt that as the gathering had served a very useful purpose, another meeting should be held in October when the chairman hoped to be able to show some fire prevention films. All present agreed to encourage others interested to attend the next meeting. The discussion was quite informal and the free exchange of experiences and information was undoubtedly welcomed by all present. The get-ting-together of people with a common interest in fire protection on this basis was considered to be of real value.