FIRE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1938, Page 6

FIRE FIGHTING

THE KNOX CHURCH OUTBREAK LETTER TO BOROUGH COUNCIL. REQUEST FOR AN INQUIRY. An assurance that “more will be heard of that,” was given by Councillor W. Kemp at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, when the Knox Church Managers’ Court wrote asking that the Council hold an inquiry into the management and control of the Fire Brigade on the occasion of the Knox Church Sunday School fire. Referring to the letter, the Mayor, Mr T, Jordan, said: “They apparently made a mistake as to the controlling authority. It is not competent for us to enter into a discussion on the Fire Board.” On the motion of Mr Jordan it was decided to hand the letter to Cr. Trevor Beetham, chairman of the Fire Board. At a later stage in the meeting, Councillor H. E. Gardner asked Councillor Trevor Beetham, chairman of the Fire Board, whether he was satisfied that they were getting the fire service that the expenditure demanded. Councillor Gardner said he was not opposed to expenditure for fire fighting, provided they also got the service. At present he was not satisfied with the position, and considered that a full inquiry should be held. Councillor Beetham said that, as far as he could see, under the present system, the chances were that expenditure would tend to increase rather than decrease. Increased wages and shorter working hours greatly affected the position. The whole matter would be discussed at the next meeting of the board.