FIRE-FIGHTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 8 October 1913, Page 5

FIRE-FIGHTING.

DISCUSSION AT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At the monthly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council last evening, a communication was received from the secretary of the Masterton Fire Board, stating that at a recent meeting of the board it was decided that a motor pumping engine 'be purchased, provided-the council would undertake to sink fire-wells at convenient parts of the town. The Mayor said he could not see why the B&rough Couricil should be asked to supply fire-wells, as he thought very little good would result thereby, especially in view of the proposed water supply scheme. The expense entailed by undertaking .such work was out of all proportion to the security guaranteed to the (council. Fire-wells were of material importance in thickly populated parts, but he could not see that a».y good would be done by establishing wells in the eufonuflban areas. He (thought the question of purchasing m ;fire-engine was a most important one, but if the purchase depended .upon the council supplying fire-wells, he thought the hoard would be well advsed in saving the £IOOO proposed to 'he expended. In his opinion' the most important matter was the quick conveyance of the firemen to the scene of fire.

Cr. Temple said .the ; letter sounded to him something Hike a threat, and he felt inclined to (ignore the matter altogether. Cr. O'Leary said he was sorry to eiV-y that at the meeting of the Fire Board the Mayor andlhimself did not have the siipport of vCr. Ewington in ■connection with the :matter before the council. He did not see why the council should give the insurance companies everything they asked for. '{They were ailready getting a considerable sum from the council. It was eventually decided to inform the 'Fire Board that the council could riot entertain the request contained in the 'letter.