FIRE BRIGADE DISTRICT POLL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 24 April 1907, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE DISTRICT POLL.

To-day ilic New Plymouth ratepayers have the opportunity of voting on tne question of putting their Eire Brigade oil a satisfactory and ellieient basis, viz., by adopting tlicj system provided for in the Fire Brigades' Adc, which was passed last year, under which, the insurance companies and the Government as well ii< the Borough Council contribute to the cost of maintaining the Brigade and supplying ft with necessary appliances Under present condi\ions, the Brigade is maintained by a grant from the Borough Council and voluntary subscriptions. It is quite unreasonable to expect the Brigade, which has done splendid work in the past and is a distinct credit Vo the town, to continue on to its old groove ami to bother about finances. Hie members devote enough of their time to Uie public service witnout being compelled to ''raise the wind" to keep the Brigade in existence or in a slate of eilieiency. The Act under which to-days poll is to be taken places the affairs or tire brigades on a sound and business footing, each party deriving benelit from the exisvenco uf the brigade being compelled to contribute to the cost of the upkeep of the institution. I'mler the Act a Board of Seven members is elected to eon'trol the work of lire prevention: one appointed by the government, three elected by the insurance companies, and three elected Iby the thorough Council. This body appoint* the superintendent and depnty-superinteiHient. makes levies for 'ihe purpose uf providing funds for the Brigade, and generally carries out the details necessary to ' the ellieient working of the Brigade. Polling booths open at nine o'clock, and will not close till seven this evening, and a voter's qualification is that of a ratepayer. The householder's qualification iloes not entitle the holder to vote. The voting paper is a simple one, the voter being directed to declare either "for the proposal" or ''against the proposal." We hope ratepayers will embrace the opportunity of declaring the urea of the borough of the (own a fire district in terms of the Act. and record their votes in favor of a propositi which, as we have said, puts the affairs uf such an important adjunct of the rmineipal service on an ellieient, equitable and business-like, footing.