MASTERTON FIRE BOARD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9665, 2 December 1909, Page 3

MASTERTON FIRE BOARD.

SUPERIN fENDEN I'S REPORT,

The following is the annua! report of the Superintendent of the Masterton P'ire tfo'ird:—l have the honour to report tint since t!)2 Brigade came under the jurisdiction of the Fire Board, 44 calls have bean received, viz. — Fires i;i hi;ildings IS, chimney fires 12, er.iss (ires three, rubbish tire- two, hay fires one, false alarms eight (one of the latter by inspector Hugo). The most serious during the year was the recent fire in Queen Street, in buildings owned by Trust Lands Trust, which being old and dry and constructed entirely of wood, burnt readily, considerable damage resulting before the lira was got under control. In drawing jour attention to the fire loss for the year I would point out that of the calls received, rive in buildings and two grass fires were just outside the Fire District, and although the Brigade responded promptly, they were unable with the gear at their disposal to prevent the total destruction of tne buildings in each, case, and out of the total of £5,869 of property destroyed, £1,045 was for fires out-

side the Fire District. The total value of insurances of property and losses involved during the year are as follows: Property involved, £21,172; total insurances, £11,725; insurances paid, £4,402; loss above insurance, £1,467; thus showing total loss to all parties, £5,869. to report re appliances that during the year the steam fire engine has beerf overhauled and h.ai a new boiler fitted, anl is now with the exception of pump cylinder in real good working order, but I consider the engine is I badly in need of a coat of paint. Five hundred feat of new hose with couplings has ?lso been received. The remainder of the plant and appliances are practically the ?ame as when taken over by the Board and are all in good order, i must again point out the advisability of having the wells and creeks attended to as per my report of August 18th, 1908. In connection with this ma.ter I consider it would be a distinct advantage if the were from year to aJd to these fire wells, so that in place * where water mams are small an extra supply of water would be avail able fur fire prevention purposes. Brigade Membership. —Re membership I beg to report the present strength of the Brigade is 22. I have pleasure in reporting that the Borough high pressure, water supply has been more satisfactory for the last 12 months than for several years past. The pressure during the summer muiths, although on some occasions registering very low, showed o.i the whole a decide! improvement. Also trie slop valves recently put in have proved of good assiscar.ee in concentrating lie water for fire purposes A matter that I would ask your Board to take into consideration if the question of a new fire station is to be deferred for any length of tirne is that some convenience be given to members who live ac the Central shed, as at present not much inducement is offered for men to leave their ho.ties to sleep at the lira station for the benefit of the town. In presenting the estimated requirements for the year you will notice that I have omitted to menti n the question of the new fire b;i.; 'e station, electric alam?, also t;.e nutter of some suitable machine fir the conveyance of men and appliances, as I understand these matters are under consideration. Also the question of rent, gas, telephone, hoses, night watchman, etc., I have omitted to mention as the Secretary of your Board will have theie matters in hand. In connection with Kuripuni fire station I would again ugre that provision be made on the esti-

mates for alterations so as to pro vide for a resident custo.iian at that end. In conclude g thin, the first annua) report, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the

members of the Fire Board and their Secretary, Mr Brown, for their uniform courtesy during the year. I also wish to thank the members of the Police force for their assistance at fires. L also have to tender my thanks to the officers and members of both Fire Police and Fire Brigade for their hearty support and the manner in which they have carried out their re.-pective duties through what has been a somewhat unsettle:! year, with no rules or by-laws for the greater part of the time."