FIRE PREVENTION, AND APPLIANCES IN USE, GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, H-34

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1894. NEW ZEALAND.

FIRE PREVENTION, AND APPLIANCES IN USE, GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Laid on the Table by permission of the House by the Hon. Mr. Seddon, and ordered to be printed.

No. 1. Mr. W. H. Hennah to the Hon. the Peemieb. Sib,— Wellington, 20th June, 1894. I have the honour to report that the messengers were present for practice with the fire appliances, on Saturday last, as ordered by you. They are not the stamp of men that a fire brigade would be recruited from, but, as each did his best, no fault could be found with their work. I would recommend that ten of the most active of the messengers be trained as a fire brigade for the protection of the Government Buildings, and meet once a fortnight for practice. This number is ample for the work, and the older men would only be in the way. Both lengths of hose burst during the practice. I would advise that the whole of the hose within* the building be tested as soon as possible, and 500 ft. of new hose be ordered at once. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. H. Hennah.

No. 2. Mr. T. H. Hameb, Private Secretary to the Hon. the Premier, to the Undeb-Secbetaby for Public Woeks. Premier's Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th June, 1894. Memorandum for Under-Secretary for Public Works. Hon. Premier wishes instructions given to Captain Hennah to thoroughly test all hose throughout the public buildings. Mr. Moncrieff, who will call on you in the morning, is to assist. T. H. Hamee, Private Secretary.

No. 3. From the Undeb-Seceetaby, Public Works, to Mr. W. H. Hennah. Public Works Department, Wellington, 20th June, 1894. Memorandum for Captain Hennah, Wellington. I have the honour, by direction of the Minister for Public Works, to request that you will be good enough to have a thorough inspection made of all hose required to be used for fire-prevention purposes throughout the public buildings in Wellington, at your early convenience. Mr. Moncrieff, about whom I spoke to you recently, will assist you in the matter. H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works.

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No. 4. Mr. W. H. Hennah to Hon. Ministeb for Public Woeks. Sib,— Wellington, 25th June, 1894. I have the honour to report that I have examined all the hose throughout the Government buildings, and beg to submit the following report:— Parliament House. The hose in front of the building is very bad, but my previous recommendations having been approved this will not be required. Eemainder of hose in good order. Government House. Hose in good order. Museum. The fire appliances consist of two lengths inch rubber hose; the hose is very bad, and should be replaced at once with canvas and cradles. There should also be a hydrant, branch, and 150 ft. hose near the entrance. General Post Office. With one exception, the hose is in good order. I would draw your attention to the fact that there is only inch hose throughout the building. I would strongly recommend that a 3in. column be erected in the centre of the building from the ground to the top floor; valves, cradles, and 150 ft. 2-jrin. canvas hose on each flat; also a 2Jin. pipe to command the room where the mails are received. A great danger exists through the use of the cellar under the mail-room : there is a gas-stove placed close to a wood and paper partition. I was informed that some of the employes use it at lunch time to warm their tea, &c. This, without a doubt, is very dangerous. Printing Office. With the exception of one lOCft. length (which in some way has been cut) the hose is in good order. If it were coupled to the stand-pipe, and placed in cradles, a great saving of time would be effected in case of fire. Supreme Court. Hose very bad ; should be replaced at once. I have, &c, W. H. Hennah. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

No. 5. Mr. W. H. Hennah to the Hon. the Minister for Public Woeks. Sib,— Wellington, Ist July, 1894. A statement appeared in last night's Post which, if true, would appear that I was wanting in common-sense. The facts are as follows :— On receipt of instructions from the Under-Secretary to examine the hose in the Government buildings, I did so at once, and sent you my report. Moulton, the plumber from the Government workshops, was with me during the examination. On overhauling the hose at the Supreme Court I discovered a hole through which I could put my finger, and on doing so it tore like a piece of old linen. I reported the hose was bad, and the Eesident Engineer went with me to the Supreme Court to see it. No knife has ever been used by me. to examine the hose. When the hose has been new I have been satisfied, and when not by water test. The Eesident Engineer and Moulton can substantiate the above facts. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. W. H. Hennah.

Mr. Wilson, —Will you please remark hereon—viz., as to correctness of statements made by Captain Hennah. Also get Moulton to remark similarly, please. —H. J. H. 810w.—2/7/94.

No. 6. Mr. D. Moulton to the Besident Engineee, Public Works, Wellington. District Office, Public Works Department, Wellington, 2nd July, 1894. Memorandum for the Eesident Engineer. I was with Captain Hennah when he examined the hose at Supreme Court. It was quite rotten. We could tear it off with our fingers. We used no knife in our examination. D. Moulton.

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No. 7. Mr. J. A. Wilson, Eesident Engineer, to the Undeb-Secbetaby for Public Works. Public Works Department, District Office, Wellington, 2nd July, 1894. The Under-Secretary, Public Works. Ec Hose at Supreme Court. I went with Captain Hennah to examine the hose at the Supreme Court, which was reported by him as defective. It was quite perished, and could be torn by the hand, as we found by testing it in that manner. What Captain Hennah says as to no knife having been used is, of course, quite correct. A new hose has been provided and fixed to-day. Attached is a statement on the subject by Moulton, the Government plumber. J. A. Wilson, Eesident Engineer.

No. 8. The Undeb-Secbetaey, Public Works, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Wobks. Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Will you please see memorandum from Captain Hennah in reference to a paragraph which appeared in last Saturday's Evening Post in reference to the cutting of hose at the Supreme Court building. I have inquired into Captain Hennah's statements, that he was accompanied on the occasion referred to by our plumber, and that he also reported the tearing of the hose to the Eesident Engineer, and took him across to see it, and find that the same are correct, and I attach memoranda from Messrs. Wilson and Moulton supporting the same. 3rd July, 1894. H. J. H. Blow. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,200 copies), £2 Is. 6d.

Authority: Samuel Gostall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB94.

Price 3d.]