FIRE FIGHTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1922, Page 5

FIRE FIGHTING.

THE FITZROY BRIGADE. DISBANDMENT OPPOSED. DISCUSSION BY THE COUNCIL. A resolution protesting against the proposal of the New Plymouth Fire Board to disband the Fitzroy Fire Brf< gade was before the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. The text pf the resolution, which was forwarded for the consideration of the council by Mr. C. F. Foote, chairman of a meeting held recently at Fitzroy. was: “That this meeting o-f Fitzroy ratepayer!, having in view the fact that the Fitzroy Fire Brigade was considered necessary 18 years ago, that it was instituted and maintained by public subscription until controlled by the Fire Board* that the population has increased four fold, and the useful service rendered by the brigade during all those views with alarm any suggestion to disband the brigade or to curtail its efficiency by limitation of membership, and urges the board to review this decision.” The council also had before it a copy of. the brigades inspector’s report on the matter, this being forwarded by the secretary of the Fire Board (Mr. Ia Monteath). The report, dated November 1, 1921, read: “My suggestion made last year that the services of the Fitaroy Fire Brigade as a semi -independent body be retained for the time being was made subject to the conditions that no more members be enrolled, and that their drill be altered to conform wifli the drill at the Central station, and neither condition has been complied with. It is utterly opposed io all ideas of efficiency to have a different method of drill in one brigade, and for thia and other reasons I consider the time has come to disband the Fitzroy Brigade as a practically independent section.” When the -correspondence was read the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) expressed doubt as to whether the retention of the brigade came within the scope of the council, in view oi the fact that the management was controlled by the Fire Board. In reply to Cr. T. N. Blackball the Mayor said that the council had a voice through its three representatives on the board. The council contributed practically half of the Fire Board’s revenue, as the borough was required to contribute by statute, and they would be quite within their rights in directing their representatives. Cr. W. Rum ball, one of the members of the board, said the decision wm no reflection on the Fitzroy Fire Brigade, but the board considered that condition* had altogether altered during the last few years. With a motor engine and better roads it was considered that Fitzroy could be served just as well from the Central station. There were 25 members of the Central Brigade and 14 members of the Fitzroy Brigade, and the board thought this was overstaffing. The cost had been mounting up, as was evidenced by the fact that last year the council’s contribution had increased by 50 per cent. It was costing the insurance companies 17 per cent, of their premium income to run the fire brigade. Cr. J. Kibby inquired if Cr. Rumball knew what the 14 members of the Fitzroy Brigade were costing the board. Replying Cr. Rumball said the cost was over £lOO. An explanation in regard to the inspector’s commgpt was made by Or. R. L Parkin, who said that the brigade had never had the chance to comply with the conditions mentioned. He said they had not received any notification about the limitation of membership ot the alteration of drill, and the memben of the brigade objected strongly to UN report. Cr. Kibby moved that the counetl** representatives be requested to oppoat the disbandment of the brigade. He pointed out that 18 years ago the residents of the district considered a brigade was necessary to the extent that they formed an organisation and equipped it at their own expense. At least £3OO worth of plant was handed over when the board took control. The brigade had been an efficient one, both ia respect to competitions and calls. He did not think the cost to the Fire Board -for maintaining the 14 men would be more than £3 per head, and they were worth it to the district. He also remarked that when the small motor was first procured it' was understood that it was later to be sent to Fitzroy. Although the large motor engine was also now available, he noticed that the small engine was still retained at the Central station. The motion was seconded by Or. Blackball and carried.