THE DUNEDIN FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 226, 6 January 1911, Page 5

THE DUNEDIN FIRE

POOR WATER PRESSURE. By Tekgiaph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. An enquiry concerning the fire which destroyed the Agricultural Hall buildings on the night of December 22nd was held to-day before the Coroner, Mr. C. C. Graham.

lAt the request of the Fire Board, a report was made by the superintendent of the Fire Brigade, who stated that when the brigade arrived on the scene the water pressure was very light, but when the Maori Hill valves wcTe opened there was ample pressure. He was not prepared to state why the pressure was so poor when the brigade started, but such a state of affairs had been noticeable at nearly all fires for some time. Thomas Harrison, a retired schoolmaster, said it was about 8.20 p.m. when he discovered the fire. About the corner of Water street and Princes street he saw a constable and informed him about the fire and asked him to ring up the lire brigade. Constable Havelock, the constable seen by Mr. Harrison, said he saw the latter about 8.44 p.m., and was informed there was a fire in the Agricultural Hall buildings. Harrison asked him to ring up the station, but as Harrison was excited, and witness could see no fire, he concluded it was a false alarm. At 8.50 he'arrived at the police station, and informed Station-Sergeant King of the matter. King was about to give the alarm when the firebcll rang. Thomas Bitchic, of the firm of Waters, Ritchie, and Co., complained of the inadequate water pressure, and David Runson, secretary of the National Electric Engineering Co., gave similar evidence. The latter also complained of faulty hose.

William McCurdle, acting city engineer, gave evidence regarding the water supply. lie said that if the Maori Hill pressure was on all night the reservoir would empty itself into others lower than itself. The only remedy was for the brigade, to keep "in touch with the state of water supplied at all times, and with the valves controlling mains. If the Woodhaugh and South valves were closed, there would be pressure, but the pipes in the city were not designed to stand such pressure. Captain Mitchell said that was the whole secret of the mains.

In giving his decision, the Coroner said there was no evidence as to the origin of the fire. It. was extraordinary that it should have been burning so long before it was discovered, with people actually on the premises. It was regrettable that there had been slight delay in notifying the brigade, and he thought Constable Havelock had committed an error of judgment in not notifying the brigade immediately he heard of the fire. The evidence did not lead liim to think that the hose and other apparatus were in anything but good order. It appeared that the water pressure at the start was not sufficient. This matter should be gone into very carefully by the AVater Department and the Fire Brigade to see if a recurrence of inadequate pressure could be prevented.