MASTERTON FIRE BOARD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10430, 22 September 1911, Page 6

MASTERTON FIRE BOARD.

ANNUAL REPORT. Following is the annual report of the Masterton Fire Board:— The tfuernbereihip of thie Board, owing to resignation© and fresh, elections, was sdighlt'ly altered l during the year, Mir iR. J. White taking ■ the pilace of Mr H. E. Kempthorne., Mr C. H. Smith that of Mr C. Piearce, (and Ma* J. M. Goradine that of Mir J. H. Pauling. Present Members : Mr O. N. C. Pragnell, appointed by J tflie Governor; Mir J.- M. Coradine, (Mr J. C. Ewrington and Mr J. Prem>tioe, elected Iby the Masteirton Borough Council; Mr B. M. Simpson,, •Mr C. R. Smith, aad Mir It. J. White, elected 1 by iibe> Insurance Companies. •New Central Station.— The n'ew station was formally opened by the dhadranan of theßoaa-d',Mr O. N. C. Pragnell, on Navemibe.r 4th, 1910, in the presence of a, 'liargle number of ( representatives of ttocal bodies. Owing to pressure of Parliamentary business, the Minister of Internal Affairs was unable to attend; but thie Department was represented by Inspector Hugo. The total cost of the bulMing, including architect and extras amounted to £2351 15s. 6d. Besides quarters for a married custodian, it contains meeting rooms and bedrooms for members of Fire Brigade and Fare Police, and has ibeeai furnished and equipped at a oast of £SB lis lid,. ~ Finance.— The approved estimates amounted to £976 lis, and the contributions were assessed as follows— Government, £SO; Masterton Borough Council!, £463 5s 6d { lnsurance Oompanies, £463 5s 6d.—Total, £976 lis The total gross premium income of the Insurance' Companies, was declared 1 at £5349 18s 7d, a decrease of £l2B 6s 6d on the previous year. A list of contributing companies is attached to the report. The expenditure on ordinary account was £1231 8s 2d, the principal Stems being:'El'eotrio fire alarm, installation, £152 2s; salaries., wages and ,siervices at fireß, £266 2® lid; feed', storeroom, and workshop, £53 17s lid; purchase horses, £65; horse hire and stable® account, £B6 10s 3d; upkeep Brigade and Corps, £172 Is 9d; repayment and interest, £203 12s lid. The liabilities lamioumt to £4094, including balance of loan £3400, Masterton Borough Council pliant account £477 19s sd, and efectrio fire a.!arm £2OO. Thie- assets, including station Jbuilddngs, and land, £3550; plant, £651 Is lOd; anld electric fire alarm, £327

19s 2d, total £4636 7s. Electric Street Fire Alarm System. —The installation, was completed in the early part of April!, and tested and reported on by Inspector Hugo. \ In addition to the electric street fire I alarm system, a portable telephone and Brigade Station exchange and alarm box fittings 'was arranged for, with the Simplex Company, in, order to facilitate operations in fire-fighting and bring the insfcalikition right up to date. The system has so far worked satisfactorily, and has been found extremely .useful. iNo private or (business connections iha.ve yet been, made. Old Station.— The remainder ofj the ternij of lease of the old station was soldi iby auction and realised the reserve price, £SO. ' Custodian..— A" permanent custodian and engine driver has. been appointed at a ■salary of £2 per week, with free quarters and lighting. 'Horse Hire.— Owing .to the difficulty and greatly increased cost of hiring horses, the Board purchased two, at a cost of £65, and built a feed store shed, workroom, etc., costing £53 17s lid. Fire Wells.— A new fire well- was. put down .(fronting the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile premises, Perry Street. The well was sunk 17 feet, and' a good supply of water obtained. This makes the third nYowelii put down, and now available for the steairo fire engine, to supplement the town h.p. water supply in any serious, outbreak of fire- in the vacintty of the bu'sinei&s part of the town. Fire Brigade and Fire Police.— Inspector Hugo has paid several visits of inspection and addressed the officers .and men. on, the very best methods of carrying out their many and arduous, duties. The officers and men have kept up their usual high standard of efficiency, and rendered willing and effective service in every department of their work. Th'& Superintendent's report is attached hereto.