FIRE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1922, Page 2

FIRE BOARD.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Fire Board was held at the Fire Station on Thursday evening. Those present were: Messrs. W. C. Weston (chairman), F. E. Wilson, E. Dingle, K. G. Archer, W. Rumball, H. Baily, F. C. J Bellringer (superintendent of the brigade), and the secretary (Mr. L. M. Monteath). The chairman reviewing the operations of the past year, said that there had been 11 meetings of the board and the attendance had been particularly good. He had to thank the borough nominees particularly for regular attendance and interest in the work of the board. During the year arrangements had been entered into with the Taranaki Farmers Meat Company for the attendance of the brigade and the motor engine in the event of a fire at the works. A second station-keeper had been appointed, relieving the custodian of a considerable amount of responsibility and enabling one man to be in attendance throughout the 24 hours. The expenditure had practically -reached the estimate of £2435. It included considerable capital expenditure, and the purchase of uniforms and sundries which had been difficult to obtain during the war. It was hoped that the estimates for this year would show a considerable reduction. The chairman referred to the fact of the Fitzroy brigade having ceased to exist during the year, and said that byresolution the board had placed on record appreciation of the good services of its members in the past. The fire alarm system had been extended to Fitzroy. Application was being made to the Minister of Internal Affairs for permission to lease the station at Fitzroy for a term not exceeding two years. The gear had been taken into stock, with the exception of that which was not wanted, and which had been sold by auction. The purchase of the Courtenay Street property had been completed and \ mortgage of £2OOO arranged, v.' , b, after paying for the property, left n balance of £260 which had been expended in repairs, the total expenditure on which had been £643. The question of carrying out the programme of building houses on the land recently purchased had been held over pending more settled conditions. The board’s sinking fund, amounting to just over £lOOO, had been invested in soldiers bonds and was giving a net ■ return of just under 6 per cent., a very satisfactory return. The brigade had worked well and willingly, and the speaker wished to state how much the board was indebted to the superintendent for his loyal help in carrying out the duties of the board. The superintendent, in his annual report, stated that nine calls had been attended, a decrease of seven. The number of actual fires was eight. The estimated loss of property not covered by insurance was £lOOO (‘buildings £9OO, contents £200) and of that covered By insurance £3424 (buildings £1414, contents £2010). The insurance on propertv on which fires occurred was £11.025 ‘(buildings £4600, contents £6425), and the estimated value of the property was £15,800. The estimated; lire loss to the town was £ 1000 and to ’ the insurance companies £3424. The] water pressure had been well maintained, with the exception of one period. The personnel of the brigade now was: Superintendent, deputy-superintendent, two foremen, two motormen and 18 fire-j men. The brigade had mustered on 33; occasions, and the attendance and con- : duct of all had been satisfactory. The) superintendent expressed his best thanks < to the officers and members of the bn- j gade and fire board, officials of the Bor-1 ough Council, police force and press.. | The board deferred final consideration ; of a report from the superintendent set- ] ting out the advisability of providing a motor of greater carrying capacity than the smaller one of the two nowf in use. Tt had been very serviceable and had more, than paid for itself. Its carrying capacity was five men and. as 12 wer«° available, the servicces of seven were delayed for want of transport. Additional advantages with the one recommended would be greater speed and improvements in the body which had not been thought of when the present one was constructed. Mr Weston intimated that his term of’two years had terminated and, owing to pressure of business, he did not intend to seek re-election. He thanked the members for their assistance during his term of office. Mr. Wilson was elected chairman.