FIRE BRIGADES OF THE DOMINION (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1937, BY THE INSPECTOR OF FIRE BRIGADES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1937 Session I, H-12

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1937-38. NEW ZEALAND.

FIRE BRIGADES OF THE DOMINION (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1937, BY THE INSPECTOR OF FIRE BRIGADES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Inspector of Fire Brigades to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs. Office of the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Wellington, 6th December, 1937. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the twenty-ninth annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1937, on the working of the Fire Brigades Act, 1926. Fire Districts. The Borough of Whakatane was declared a fire district during the year, and the Morrinsville Fire Board, which was gazetted last year, commenced operations. The number of fire districts in operation at the end of the year was fifty-five. Dominion Fire Waste. The loss by fire in New Zealand during 1936 estimated on the usual basis —i.e., the actual amount paid out by insurance companies plus 12§ per cent, for uninsured loss —was £524,029, being a decrease of £83,381, or 13-7 per cent. In view of the improvement in the method of collecting statistics which has taken place during recent years this almost certainly represents the lowest fire loss on record per head of population, which is the only satisfactory basis for comparison. The following table shows the fire losses in New Zealand, Great Britain, Canada, and United States of America for the past ten years : —

It is difficult to give a satisfactory explanation for the exceptionally low loss recorded for 1936. The view is largely held by insurance companies that high fire losses tend to come in cycles, and the above table would certainly indicate that the notably high-fire-loss countries, amongst which New Zealand for some time held pride, of place, are experiencing a low-loss period. So far as New Zealand is concerned, the low losses for the year are in no way due to a lessening in the number of outbreaks of fire, since the Government Statistician's returns show that insurance was again paid on more than five thousand fires, the number reported during 1936 being the highest on record. Most of these outbreaks are, of course, small fires, only involving a loss of less than £10 and not requiring the services of the fire brigade. I—H. 12.

Fire Loss per Head. New Zealand , ' — Fire Loss. „ , United States of New Zealand. Great Britain. Canada. America. £ a. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Average (1927-31) .. .. 1,332,032 18 1 5 0 17 5 16 0 1932 .. .. .. 867,714 11 5 3 9 16 8 13 2 1933 .. .. .. 644,781 8 4 4 7 12 11 8 10 1934 .. .. .. 566,112 73 41 10 0 87 1935 .. .. .. 607,410 7 9 4 0 8 9 8 1 1936 .. .. . . 524,029 68 45 80 85

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There was undoubtedly a considerable increase during the year in replacement values, both of buildings and of goods, and a corresponding increase in the apparent fire loss was to have been expected, even if the number of fires had remained stationary. It is therefore evident that a considerable decrease has occurred not only in the average loss per fire, but in the actual wastage resulting from fires. Eire-Brigade Efficiency. While the reduced fire wastage for the year must be ascribed to a considerable extent, at any rate, to good fortune, particularly in respect of the losses in unprotected areas, there is ample evidence available not only from the returns supplied by insurance companies and fire brigades, but also from the inquiries into the handling of fires by the brigades made during inspection visits, that the improvements in equipment and general brigade efficiency have been largely responsible for the better fire-loss record of recent years. This is illustrated by the returns for Fire Board areas, which show that, despite the fact that during the year 3,381 fires, or 64 per cent, of the outbreaks of fire, occurred in fire districts, and the property at risk represents probably an even higher percentage of the total, the actual fire losses in these areas were only 43 per cent, of the Dominion figures. It will be noted from the details given below that approximately 39 per cent, of the losses in fire districts were caused by six serious fires, and the investigations made showed that, except in the case of the wool-store at Napier, which was a wooden building and was alight practically from end to end when the brigade received the call, the losses represent a small proportion only of the property at risk in the fires, and the work carried out by all the brigades concerned evidenced a very high standard of efficiency. In this connection it must also be noted that, with the more general supply to the fire service of salvage and smoke-protection equipment, a very considerable advance in fire-fighting technique is evident, even in the case of the small-town brigades. Not only is greater care taken in covering goods in the early stages of the fire to prevent damage by water, but there has been a considerable improvement in ventilation methods and a more intelligent use of water in the actual extinguishing-work. Incendiarism. Another factor tending to maintain the low-fire-loss position is the almost entire absence of incendiaristic fires of the insurance-fraud type. This has resulted partly from the economic conditions existing during recent years, but has also been largely afiected by the publicity directed against this class of fire and the greater activity of the police in investigating all fires, particularly those of suspicious origin. The position has also been helped by the fact that with the improved Fire Brigade turnout it has been possible to determine the cause of a greater proportion of suspicious fires. During the year under review there were fifteen prosecutions for arson, and ten convictions were recorded, but it was only found necessary to hold one coronial inquiry as to the cause of fire. It should be noted that the tendency to incendiarism is less during a period of rising prices such as is at present being experienced, and the real test of the measures taken to prevent arson will not come until property values start to decline. Fire Loss in Fire Districts. It will be seen from Tables II and IV attached that the loss in fire districts during the year ending 31st March, 1937, was £199,592, and in areas protected by Fire Boards, £3,248, as compared with £181,296 and £2,940 respectively for the previous year. Six fires occurred in fire districts during the year in which the loss exceeded £5,000, details of which are as follows : Wool-store, Napier (5.50 a.m.), £30,565; Drapery store, Invercargill (4.59 p.m. Sunday), £16,070; Waterproofing factory, Wellington (5.31 a.m.), £8,876 ; Clothing-factory, Wellington (11.6 p.m.), £5,025 ; Clothing-factory, Christchurch (9.48 p.m.), £6,677 ; Printing-works, Dunedin (5.31 a.m.), £9,395. Despite the severe loss in these fires, which represents about 39 per cent, of the total loss in fire districts (as compared with 22 per cent, in serious fires last year), it will be seen from Table I attached that the average loss per fire attended by the brigades is only £242, as compared with £235 last year. The number of fires requiring brigade attendance increased from 765 last year to 812 during the year under review. The loss per head in fire districts for the year 1936 was ss. 10d., as compared with 7s. sd. for the remainder of the Dominion. Future Development of Fire Brigade Administration. In connection with the Government proposals for the amalgamation of local authorities alternative suggestions have been made by the local authorities and others concerned for the amalgamation of neighbouring Fire Boards, the formation of Fire Boards on a provincial basis, the absorption of the functions of the Fire Board by the local authority, and the retention of the existing system in its entirety. It will therefore probably be of some service to survey briefly the existing position. The controlling legislation in New Zealand (Fire Brigades Act, 1926) is similar to that in operation in the Australian States, in that it provides for contribution by the insurance companies to the cost of fire-brigade operation. It differs from the Australian legislation in that the latter provides for control of all fire brigades in fire districts by a Board having State-wide powers, whereas in New Zealand it is necessary to set up an independent Fire Board in each local-authority district before any contributions can be obtained from the insurance companies. The proportion of the annual expenditure of the Boards in Australia contributed by the insurance companies is in some cases as low as one-third, and in New Zealand it varies with the population of the fire district, but for the current year averaged nearly 49 per cent. In these reports in previous years the opinion has been expressed that the Australian system offers very definite advantages from the point of view of general organization, the saving of adminis-

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trative costs, the arranging of finance, the standardization, cost, and interchange of plant and equipment, and the training, particularly of officers, but also of the personnel generally. In view of the long-continued operation of the existing system, however, it is unlikely that such a radical change would be acceptable to the interests concerned. It will be noted from Table II attached that of the fifty-five Fire Boards, thirty-five have an annual expenditure of less than £1,000. It is very open to question whether the maintenance of an independent local authority is justified for the administration of an expenditure of this order if some satisfactory alternative system of control can be devised. It is, of course, essential that this alternative system should firstly be such as to ensure that the efficiency of the existing fire-brigade organization would not be prejudiced, and, secondly, should give to the insurance interests the voice in the control of the fire service which is justified by their contribution to its upkeep. In addition to the fire-district brigades normally covered in these reports, fire brigades maintained or subsidized by the local authority exist in seventy-five towns. The Fire Brigades Act, 1926, provides that on application by the local authority, and subject to the taking of a poll of ratepayers, any local-authority district having a population exceeding 1,000 may be declared a fire district. It will be seen from the list below that of the seventy-five towns referred to forty are qualified on a population basis to become fire districts, and may at any time elect to do so. This point is emphasized by the fact that the local authorities for two of these towns —Upper Hutt and Patea —have already made the necessary application in accordance with the Act, but declaration of these districts as fire districts has been deferred pending further consideration of the local-body amalgamation proposals as they affect the fire service. It will be apparent, however, that the problem cannot be confined to the elimination or amalgamation of the existing Fire Boards, but consideration must also be given to that section of the fire service at present controlled by the local authorities. In order that the importance of this section may be realized the following summary shows the populations served by the Fire Board and municipal brigades respectively.

It has been the experience of the Department, particularly in recent years, that in most cases the fire-protection organization taken over from the municipality by the Fire Board on formation of the latter is noticeably below the usual Fire Board standard of efficiency. It has usually been found necessary to replace or augment considerably the plant and equipment, and even the alarm system and the accommodation provided for the brigade. The reason for this is probably that the fireprotection service is ordinarily the least vocal of the municipal departments and its requirements are not fully recognized until either a serious fire, or agitation by brigade members, brings it more prominently under the notice of the public and the municipal authorities. On the other hand the Fire Boards have the sole duty of maintaining an efficient organization, and it may be taken for granted that, with some notable exceptions, the municipal brigades are less satisfactorily equipped for their work and to that extent are less efficient than those controlled by Fire Boards. It must be made clear that the remarks with respect to the lower efficiency of the municipal brigades in no way apply to the personnel —on the contrary it is practically on the personnel alone that the existing standard of efficiency depends. Most of the municipal fire-brigadesmen receive no payment whatever, and where payment is received it is only a small allowance to cover damaged clothing, or in a few instances loss of wages whilst attending fires. Not only do they receive no payment, but in many cases the brigades have, by means of entertainments and public subscriptions, raised money to supplement the plant and equipment supplied by the local authority. A case recently came under notice where one small-town brigade has during the past four years purchased a fire-engine and later fitted it with a fire-pump almost entirely out of brigade funds. The Fire Board and municipal brigades are part of the one service and are all members of the United Fire Brigades Association. The two sections compete in both national and district competitions, and the results show that the municipal brigadesmen in no way suffer by comparison as regards personnel efficiency. The interests of the volunteer fireman in brigade work is partly sporting—a keen interest usually being taken in brigade competitions, partly social—as the fire-station is the centre of many social activities, particularly in the smaller towns, and partly with the idea of service to his community. Both the Fire Board and municipal brigades are on the same volunteer footing, the only difference being that any allowance made to the former is usually on a more liberal basis. It is essential that any reorganization of the control of the fire service should maintain this volunteer spirit, since it would be beyond the financial resources of even the major cities to establish adequate brigades manned entirely on a professional basis. The fact that such a large number of local authorities are prepared to shoulder the full cost of the fire-protection organization and have not taken advantage of the existing legislation to form a Fire Board, and thereby obtain the advantage of insurance contributions, indicates that there must be some serious objections to the existing legislation. So far as the local authorities are concerned, these objections appear to be, firstly, a disinclination to hand over the control of the fire brigade to another

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Population. Fire Districts. Municipal Control. 0-1,000 .. .. .. 1 35 1,000-3,000 .. .. .. 27 27 3,000-6,000 .. .. .. 7 9 Over 6,000 .. .. .. 20 4 55 75

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body ; secondly, a fear that the cost of the fire-protection organization will be unduly increased ; and, thirdly, an objection to the principle under which the local authority is required to pay such levies as may be demanded by the Fire Board irrespective of the financial condition of the municipality at the time. The first of these objections must receive due consideration in connection with any scheme for reorganization of fire-brigade control. The second objection is based on the fact that almost invariably there is a very considerable increase in costs after a Fire Board is formed, but, as explained above, this is usually due to the fact that the Board on commencing its administration is faced with expenditure on plant, equipment, and accommodation which should more properly have been spread by the municipality over the preceding years. The third objection is one which could probably be met by placing a maximum on the expenditure, which maximum could only be exceeded by the unanimous consent of the municipality, the insurance interests, and the Minister. The basic requirements of a fire brigade — alarm system, fire - station, plant, equipment, and uniforms —are necessary irrespective of the size of the town, but as the population increases a higher standard is justified and can, of course, be supplied at a lower cost per head of population. The following list of municipal fire brigades shows the population of the town and the suggested maximum expenditure based for the purposes of consideration on an expenditure of 6s. per head, for towns with a population up to 1,000, with a maximum of £200 ; ss. per head with a population of 1,000 to 3,000, with a maximum of £500 ; 3s. per head in towns with a population of 3,000 to 6,000 ; and 2s. 6d. per head where the population exceeds 6,000. It would not, of course, be necessary to adopt this basis, but if considered more satisfactory an empirical standard adjusted to meet the views of the municipal authorities concerned could be adopted. The small Government contribution would not materially affect these figures, and for purposes of consideration the Brigade expenditure shown below can be regarded as being divided equally between local authorities and the insurance companies.

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.= Suggested § | Suggested Town. 3 Maximum Town _ | Maximum 3 Annual g Annual Expenditure. & Expenditure. £ £ Akaroa .. .. 510 153 Bluff .. .. .. 2,050 500 Alexandra .. .. 870 200 Carterton .. .. 1,940 485 Clyde .. .. .. 293 88 Eastbourne .. .. 2,340 500 Coromandel .. .. 844 200 Featherston .. .. 1,050 262 Cromwell .. .. 740 200 Greytown .. .. 1,190 298 Eketahuna .. .. 730 200 Havel ock North .. 1,160 290 Fairlie . . . . 818 200 Henderson . . . . 1,150 288 Geraldine . . . . 950 200 Inglewood .. . . 1,270 318 Helensville .. .. 960 200 Matamata .. .. 1,370 342 Howick .. .. 780 200 Marton .. .. 2,760 500 Hunterville .. .. 390 117 Mataura .. .. 1,510 378 Kaikohe . . . . 690 200 Motueka . . . . 1,720 430 Ivaikoura .. .. 703 200 Ngaruawahia .. .. 1,420 355 Kaponga .. .. 410 123 Northcote .. .. 2,370 500 Kawakawa . . .. 520 156 Paeroa. . . . . . 2,180 500 Kumara .. .. 480 144 Papakura . . . . 1,810 4-52 Leeston .. .. 560 168 Papatoetoe .. .. 2,480 500 Manaia .. .. 620 186 Patea .. .. .. 1,420 355 Manunui .. .. 780 200 Picton .. .. 1,380 345 Martinborough .. .. 960 200 Raetihi .. .. 1,180 295 Methven .. .. 897 200 Rangiora .. . . 2,250 500 Naseby .. .. 210 63 Reefton .. .. 1,444 361 Otorohanga .. .. 720 200 Richmond .. .. 1,140 285 Palmerston .. .. 800 200 Te Kuiti . . .. 2,520 500 Queenstown .. .. 930 200 Temuka .. .. 1,920 480 Ross .. .. .. 440 131 Waimate .. .. 2,310 500 Roxburgh .. .. 470 141 Waipawa .. .. 1,160 290 Shannon .. .. 950 200 Southbrook .. .. 440 131 Ashburton .. .. 5,730 • 860 Tahunanui .. .. 860 200 Blenheim .. .. 5,040 756 Takaka .. .. 470 141 Gore .. .. .. 4,650 698 Tapanui .. .. 310 93 Lyttelton .. .. 3,230 485 Te Puke .. .. 970 200 New Brighton .. .. 5,270 791 Waiuku .. .. 850 200 Stratford .. .. 3,810 572 Waverley .. .. 680 200 Sumner .. .. 3,260 489 Thames . . . . 4,260 639 Upper Hutt .. .. 3,970 596 Devonport .. .. 9,770 1,221 Lower Hutt .. .. 16,500 2,062 Otahuhu .. .. 9,780 1,222 Takapuna .. .. 7,350 919

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With regard to the insurance companies, the main objection is one of principle and applies even to the payments made to the existing Fire Boards. As explained in previous reports, it is claimed by many of the insurance interests that contributions to the cost of fire-brigade maintenance are not justified since insurance rates are based on the fire risk existing in individual towns and the comparative efficiency of the local fire-protection service. While this may be theoretically correct, there are so many tariff anomalies that it is far from being the case in practice. In previous reports an endeavour has been made to show that, despite any principle involved, it is good business for the insurance companies to ensure by a reasonable contribution that the fire-brigade equipment, even in the small towns, is brought up to standard which will ensure a reasonably efficient service. To illustrate this point figures have been carefully prepared and checked by the returns made by insurance companies to the Government Statistician covering the fire loss and insurance companies' payments in fire districts. These show that, despite the fact that most of the serious fire risks are situated in these districts and the insurance tariff rates are in most cases on the lower scales, the fire losses for the past seven years, plus the insurance companies' contributions to Fire Boards, represent 36-11 per cent, of premium income as compared with fire losses alone in the remainder of the Dominion, which amount to 52-34: per cent, of premium income. The period over which the figures have been taken —seven years —is sufficient to give a fair indication of the relative position and show that the insurance contributions to the Fire Boards are justified by the resulting reduction in fire losses. It has been explained above that the municipal brigades suffer by the comparison in respect of fire-fighting equipment, and it is evident that the existing expenditure by municipalities represents the maximum which they are prepared to face for this branch of municipal activities. There is little doubt that the insurance contribution necessary to improve the equipment of these brigades to the Fire Board standard would be equally justified by results. It will be clear from the above that the problem of fire-brigade control is not by any means confined to the question of amalgamation of existing Fire Boards or the absorption of their functions by othei local authorities. The solution will probably be found in some compromise between the Australian system of a central Fire Board and the extreme decentralization necessary under existing New Zealand legislation. It is evident from newspaper comments that considerable misunderstanding of the position exists, and the purpose of these comments is, firstly, to set out the facts, and, secondly, to suggest the factors which should be given special consideration when the problem is under review. These may be briefly summarized as follows : — (1) The controlling legislation should apply not only to the existing and potential fire districts, but preferably also to all towns where the water-supply conditions are suitable for fire-fighting purposes. (2) The setting-up of separate local authorities should be avoided except where the expenditure involved, or the fact that a number of municipal areas are included, is deemed to justify an independent controlling authority. (3) The administration and initiative should, wherever this is practicable, be left with the municipal authority for the district. (4) The insurance interests should be represented directly on any independent controlling authorities, and in some supervisory capacity where the immediate administration is carried out by the municipality. (5) In the case of all newly formed fire districts, the maximum expenditure should be prescribed —such maximum to be exceeded only with the unanimous consent of the municipality, the insurance interests, and the Minister. (6) Provisions should be made to safeguard the existing standard of efficiency. It might be provided that in cases where the administration of either existing or future fire-district brigades was taken over by the municipality the onus should be placed on the latter of the maintenance of an efficient organization within the limits of maximum expenditure suggested under (5). Service Conditions. Considerable attention has been paid during the year to the service conditions of the professional firemen. All New Zealand brigades employing permanent staff are operating under what is known as the continuous-duty system, under which the firemen are required to remain on the station and available for fire calls at all times during their period of duty, which previously varied in different brigades from three to six days. This system is the most efficient where, as in New Zealand, the wide distribution of the urban population, and the consequent limitation of the size of the individual towns, makes it necessary for economic reasons that the permanent staff should be kept to a minimum. Shortly after the introduction by the Government of the forty-hour-week legislation application was made to have this applied to the fire service. This application was declined by the Arbitration Court, but the matter was subsequently reviewed by the Government, with the object of giving the professional firemen an increase of leisure equivalent to that obtained by other workers under the legislation. It was recognized that the position in the fire service differed from ordinary trade-union conditions, in that the former was a disciplined force and that it was essential for efficiency that an adequate discipline should be maintained. A conference of the Superintendents of the principal brigades employing permanent firemen was therefore called to consider the existing conditions in the service and the modifications which would be permissible within the requirements of discipline and efficiency. A conference was later called of representatives of the Fire Boards controlling these brigades'to consider the recommendations made by the Superintendents' conference, and also the Government's view with regard to proposed improvements in the service conditions. The Fire Board representatives at this conference agreed to recommend to their respective Boards the adoption of the Government proposals, both for an improved leave scale and a standardization of

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other conditions of service. It was agreed that the same conditions should not apply for both the city and secondary town brigades, but that each should be standardized on a basis of the existing conditions most favourable to the men. These recommendations have since been given effect to as from Ist January, 1937, thus avoiding the necessity for special legislation. The following is briefly the effect of the alterations made :— (1) An additional five weeks' leave annually has been granted to all permanent staff. The effect of this is that in the four main cities the firemen now receive one day's leave in four, and, in addition, eight weeks' annual leave. In the secondary towns, where the service conditions are less onerous, the day-leave is one day in five, with four weeks' annual leave. (2) The Boards have agreed that as soon as practicable family quarters will be provided for all married men with not less than three years' service. Pending the provision of these quarters, a reasonable house allowance will be paid to these married men. (3) In recognition of the fact that under the continuous-duty system married men are required to turn out to fire calls when on the station during leave periods, the allowance for lighting and firing, which previously applied to officers and a limited number of men only, is to be given to all married men provided with quarters. During the course of the negotiations an application was made by some of the men's representatives for a change-over to the platoon system of working, which is in force in most large cities and under which the firemen are on duty alternately in day and night shifts and do not reside on the station. This was very strongly opposed by the Fire Boards. It was pointed out, firstly, that a considerable increase in cost would be involved, and it was probable that it would be uneconomic to maintain the same effective fire-fighting strength as under the existing system ; secondly, that a very large capital cost was involved in the existing fire stations, which had been built for operation under the continuous duty system and were provided with living and recreational facilities which would no longer be required if the platoon system was adopted ; thirdly, that heavy commitments for the erection of blocks of married quarters had recently been made ; and, fourthly, that the congested conditions in the business areas, which had forced the adoption of the platoon system in large cities abroad, had not been reached in New Zealand, and the accommodation provided for both married and single firemen was comparable with that available to any other class of the community. This position was recognized by the Government, and at the Fire Board Conference the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs agreed that the existing continuous-duty system would be continued for a period which would justify the provision of married quarters in accordance with the undertaking given. The effect of the adoption of the new service conditions is not yet fully apparent, but it is anticipated that at least fifty additional permanent men will be required to maintain the same effective brigade strength. This must, of course, be reflected in brigade costs, and it will be noted from Table II attached that the estimated expenditure for the current year is £181,885, as compared with £149,455 for the previous year. Deaths and Injuries in Fires. During the year sixteen deaths due to fires, including four children, were recorded as against fifteen for the previous year and an average of thirteen for the past five years. In addition, sixteen persons received injuries necessitating their removal to hospital for treatment, whilst minor injuries were sustained in a number of other cases both by firemen and the general public. Although no deaths resulted this year from home dry cleaning with petrol, several cases of serious injuries arose from this cause. . Causes op Fire. In Table I attached the causes of all fires in fire districts are set out. There is very little variation from year to year in these ta,bles, which emphasizes the fact that if carelessness with electrical equipment, heating fires, and smoking materials could be overcome more than half the fire wastage of the Dominion would be avoided. Most heavy losses arise from one of these causes occurring prior to the closing of premises for the night. It will be seen that all the serious fires during the year under review were of this type, and the returns for the past four years show that while only 46 per cent, of the fires occur during the night hours (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) the actual fire loss is 80 per cent, of the total. Inspections. A number of special inspections were made during the year to discuss the application of the new service conditions with the individual Fire Boards and also with the representatives of the firemen. It has also been necessary to make special visits to discuss with the B'oards and their architects the details of the new quarters which will be required to accommodate the additional personnel. Most of the brigades were inspected during the year. Close touch was kept with the activities of all districts by means of newspaper cuttings, and, where necessary, several visits were made. The conditions found were generally satisfactory, and it is pleasing to report that most of the brigades are maintaining a high standard of training. Tests on the water-supply were made in a considerable number of towns, and recommendations made to the Boards concerned as to the development of the brigade organization and the purchase of new plant and equipment. A number of reports were also made with regard to the fire protection of Government buildings and to the local Government Loans Board on loan proposals for fire-protection, water-supply, and water-reticulation services. Attached are statistical tables covering both the year under review and also averages taken over a period of years. I have, &c., B. Girling-Butcher, Inspector of Fire Brigades.

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Table I.— Causes of Fire.

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Cities over 20,000 Population: All FireDistricts: Six-year Average, 1/4/31 - 31/3/37. Year ending 31st March, 1937. Dwellings. Business Premises. Total. Dwellings. Business Premises. Total. Number Number Number Number Number Number of Loss. of Loss. of Loss. of Loss. of Loss. oi .loss. Fires. Fires. Fires. Fires. Fires. Fires. j. £ £ £ £ £ £ Defective electrical installations .. .. .. .. 1 • 2 • 58 1 • 5 47 2-7 105 Electric irons and radiators left on .. .. .. 17-2 2,921 7-3 2,689 24-5 5,610 25 4,467 10 5,838 35 10,305 Short circuits and overheating .. .. .. .. 5-7 291 14-5 1,171 20-2 1,462 13 200 34 5,127 47 5,327 Other electrical faults .. .. .. .. .. 2-0 222 3-3 376 5-3 598 .. .. 2 13 2 13 Gas-explosions .. .. .. .. .. 1-0 71 0-3 2 1-3 73 3 276 .. .. 3 276 Gas rings, &c., left on or in contact with curtains, &c. .. 6-5 432 3-8 344 10-3 776 8 385 5 89 13 474 Defective gas-installations .. .. .. .. 3-0 89 1 0 112 4-0 201 4 263 .. 4 263 Candles in contact with curtains, &c. .. .. .. 6-3 634 0-5 2 6-8 636 8 407 2 11 10 418 Lamps, stoves —overturned or exploded .. .. .. 2-3 101 1-2 12 3-5 113 4 352 2 43 6 395 Miscellaneous, due to naked lights .. .. .. 3-5 696 3-0 65 6-5 761 12 3,359 15 306 27 3,665 Defective chimneys and flues .. .. .. .. 17-8 1,480 4-5 282 22-3 1,762 20 697 14 1,536 34 2,233 Defective hearths, fireplaces, and furnaces .. .. 18 '5 711 2-8 344 21 '3 1,055 29 964 2 175 31 1,139 Defective hot-water systems .. .. .. .. 1-8' 320 0-2 1 2-0 321 1 30 1 5 2 35 Lighted match dropped .. .. .. .. 18-0 2,898 10-3 4,784 28-3 7,682 10 699 3 722 13 1,421 Children playing with matches .. .. .. .. 7-5 230 2-3 143 9-8 373 17 197 3 280 20 477 Smoking in bed .. .. .. .. .. 3-7 70 .. .. 3-7 70 7 321 .. .. 7 321 Cigarette or cigar butts dropped .. .. .. 9-8 978 11-7 2,794 21-5 3,772 20 1,311 14 1,150 34 2,461 Ashes from pipes, sparks from cigarettes .. .. .. 2-3 108 0-5 60 2-8 168 3 87 1 18 4 105 Rats chewing matches .. .. .. .. .. 0-7 12 0-7 182 1-4 194 .. Miscellaneous causes —smoking and matches .. .. 3-3 308 1-7 319 5-0 627 9 598 8 4,012 17 4,610 Sparks from fireplaces, furnaces, &c. .. .. .. 33• 8 3,350 11-7 1,103 . 45 ■ 5 4,453 54 4,630 23 1,159 77 5,789 Airing clothes before a fire .. .. .. .. 4-0 1,062 1-3 146 5-3 1,208 2 184 ■ 3 308 5 492 Ashes placed in wooden boxes, &c. .. .. .. 8-3 373 4-1 150 12-4 523 13 499 11 389 24 888 Heating tar, polishes, &c. .. .. .. .. 5-8 263 7-5 1,072 13-3 1,335 9 66 14 2,202 23 2,268 Spontaneous combustion .. .. .. .. 2-0 331 5-0 4,058 7'0 4,389 4 175 4 8,911 8 9,086 Allowing benzine, &c., near naked lights ... .. .. 7-2 382 4-8 513 12-0 895 7 265 10 834 17 1,099 Arson .. .. .. .. .. .. 4-3 462 1-8 747 6-1 1,209 3 171 .. .. 3 171 Suspicious origin .. .. .. .. .. 8-5 3,097 5-8 8,008 14-3 11,105 4 1,869 2 254 6 2,123 Overheating of and sparks from machinery .. .. .. .. 5-3 1,532 5-3 1,532 .. .. 4 283 4 283 Sparks from bush and gorse fires .'. .. .. 3-7 146 1-2 38 4-9 184 1 1 11 Sparks from rubbish fires .. .. .. .. 6-3 178 3-2 167 9-5 345 5 78 10 864 15 942 Sparks from chimneys, locomotives, &c. .. .. .. 8-5 185 9-3 1,052 17-8 1,237 6 57 5 173 11 230 Blow-lamps used for burning ofi paint .. .. .. 15-5 597 1-7 29 17-2 626 26 1,406 4 69 30 1,475 Fires spread from other buildings .. .. .. 8-0 1,972 3-3 128 11-3 2,100 11 438 3 88 14 526 Miscellaneous known causes .. .. .. .. 12-0 595 19-2 1,950 31-2 2,545 25 1,218 33 8,103 58 9,321 Unknown causes .. .. .. .. .. 75*0 25,511 54*7 67,586 129*7 93,097 110 23,942 109 107,018 219 130,960 Total .. .. .. .. .. 335-0 51,134 211-0 102,008 546-0 153,142 473 49,612 351 149,980 824 199,592 Loss per fire — Known causes .. .. .. .. .. .. 98-5 .. 220-2 .. 144-2 .. 70-7 .. 177-5 .. 113-4 Unknown causes .. .. .. .. .. .. 340-1 .. 1,235-6 .. 717-8 .. 217-7 .. 981-8 .. 598-0 All causes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 152-6 .. 483-5 .. 280-5 .. 104-9 .. 427-3 .. 242-2 Unoccupied dwellings . . .. .. .. .. 381 -1 .. .. .. ■. •. 186-4

H.—l2.

Table II. —Miscellaneous Statistics for Fire Districts for Year ending 31st March, 1937.

8

Insurance Number involv- In81 £ances J?£ e Loss Expenditure. District Popuia- Kateable Companies of ing Loss p ' Total Fire for Year District. tjon _ Capital Value. Premium Fire of "„i 6 "'i g Loss. ending 31st Income Callfl Pro- involved and and March income, cans, in mres Contents. Contents. 1937 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Auckland Metro- 175,870 69,562,105 207,332 722 196 1,993,479 25,195 1,734 26,929 37,170 politan Balclutha .. 1,550 284,465 1,923 3 1.. .. 5 5 237 Birkenhead .. 3,430 764,501 3,576 10 2 700 5 15 20 590 Cambridge 2,230 735,290 2,953 11 3 1,700 256 45 301 487 Christchurch .. 92,700 29,669,477 101,137 326 95 472,271 17,754 838 18,592 21,960 Dannevirke .. 4,410 1,408,199 5,853 6 4 5.700 1,106 .. 1,106 686 Dargaville .. 2,200 496,457 3,230 5 3 1,660 413 10 423 622 Dunedin .. 77,040 19,963,991 83,861 558 86 234,970 22,569 818 23,387 19,800 Eltham .. 1,890 371,788 1,727 .. .. .. .. .. .. 537 Feilding .. 4.610 1,424,009 5,418 5 2 4,945 127 155 282 670 Foxton.. .. 1,600 256,181 1,431 9 3 1,530 440 500 940 382 Gisborne ... 13,700 4,575,783 20,174 34 16 35,965 6,515 341 6,856 3,017 Greymouth .. 8,220 1,376,423 7,944 12 6 11,325 1,185 2 1,187 1,065 Hamilton .. 19,900 5,246,345 17,138 52 14 50,665 301 18 319 4,156 Hastings 13,000 3,607,691 15,176 40 12 72,396 632 .. 632 2,375 Hawera .. 4,700 1,356,361. 6,874 17 6 6,120 201 55 256 1,800 Hikurangi .. 1,030 159,138 913 2 .. .. .. .. 161 Hokitika .. 2,710 404,538 3,151 4 2 250 250 7 257 590 Invercargill .. 21,500 5,490,188 24,380 87 20 112,444 18,403 244 18,647 5,404 Kaiapoi .. 1,590 324,908 2,111 5 1 125 50 5 55 519 Kaitangata .. .1,360 102,192 1,168 4 2 2,210 375 75 450 126 Lawrence .. 670 57,840 ' 680 .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Levin .. .. 2,690 769,318 3,356 4 3 1,680 663 25 688 541 Masterton . 9,220 2,626,728 11,791 52 10 11,300 3,388 26 3,414 3,207 Milton .. .. 1,410 231,998 2,101 7 2 675 39 10 49 190 Morrinsville .. 1,850 466,401 2,395 4 .. .. .. .. 540 Napier .. .. 15,500 4,201,927 24,450 38 16 46,781 31,294 867 32,161 4,703 Nelson .. . 11,300 3,055,260 16,463 45 11 50,075 1,494 55 1,549 2,236 New Plymouth .. 16,900 5,128,949 17,120 35 11 25,375 1,411 130 1,541 2,526 Oamaru.. .. 7,510 1,540,513 7,636 9 5 1,780 186 281 467 1,275 Ohakune . 1,390 98,226 1.156 4 3 1,250 665 50 715 288 Opotiki.. .. 1,460 335,919 1,927 4 2 1,207 48 48 450 Otaki .. . . 1,750 303,591 1,797 4 2 1,035 77 77 367 Pahiatua . 1,680 369,862 3,350 6 4 5,110 1,467 .. 1,467 529 Palmerston North 22,550 6,444,368 27,946 114 25 48,772 3,471 180 3,651 6,880 Petone .. . 11,000 3,184,673 14,358 22 9 18,036 2,368 455 2,823 2,055 Port Chalmers .. 2,130 303,521 1,926 3 2 50 100 100 239 Pukekohe .. 2,560 815,064 2,721 11 3 4,250 20 15 35 790 Rotorua .. 6,300 1,423,128 7,528 20 4 2,605 51 55 106 1,088 Taibape.. .. 2,170 408,852 3,240 7 1 300 170 .. 170 499 Taumarunui . . 2,680 673,589 2,839 16 9 8.545 3,705 1,633 5,338 520 Tauranga .. 3,540 935,158 4,336 19 4 4,075 75 65 140 654 TeAroha .. 2,400 728,238 4,043 8 4 2,450 1,110 10 1,120 456 TeAwamutu .. 2,300 680,149 3,019 7 1 .. .. 20 20 576 Timaru.. .. 17,500 4,827,650 17,069 41 13 7,320 541 509 1,050 3.306 Waihi .. .. 3,950 292,566 2,582 21 7 6,020 317 138 455 595 Waipukurau ..2,070 462,129 2,730 5 2 20 3 2 5 400 Wairoa.. .. 2,530 546,662 3,613 11 5 6,585 1,662 200 1,862 716 Waitara .. 1,990 334,927 2,231 1 1 930 680 .. 680 230 Wanganui .. 23,200 6;013,313 29,870 122 22 22,922 1,968 251 2,219 8,097 Wellington .. 116,700 44.059,010 170,814 839 144 700,134 33,425 832 34,257 33,400 Westport. .. 4,250 546,720 4,167 9 6 7,410 2,116 10 2,126 700 Whangarei 7,230 2,360,615 7,942 15 5 2,740 320 70 390 980 Woodville 1,040 168,807 1,297 4 2 1,000 105 120 225 398 766,660 241,975,701 925,963 3,419 812 3,998,887 188,716 10,876 199,592 181,885

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Table IIIa.—Average Statistics for all Fire Districts which have been in Operation for the Fourteen Years 1924-37.

2 —II. 12

9

! i i ■ I I I I ! Tnmiranr»#» Fires per Highest Fire PYnp „ (1i Di«fnVt Pnnnlfltinn I Municipal Rates per Insurance p' 1 ®" Number of 1,000 of Loss in any ... T Fire Loss Loss per Fire Brigade r»i *. District. Population. Rate8 . Head. Premiums. Fires. Popula- Individual Fire Loss. per Head. Fire. Expenditure. er District - per neaci. tjon Year Head. £ £ £ s. d. I £ £ s. d. j £ £ ! £ s. d. £ £ s. d. Auckland Metropolitan* ! 130.304 639,203 4 18 1 179,597 1 7 7 191 1-46 114,709 62,949 0 9 8 330 24,268 3 9 Auckland Mtrpltn.* Balclutha .. .. 1,570 3,721 2 7 5 2,031 1 5 11 2 1-32 7,090 841 0 10 9 406 322 4 1 Balclutha. Christchurch .. .. 88,417 234,638 2 13 1 112,031 1 5 4 131 1-48 95,575 41,329 0 9 4 316 12,596 2 10 Christchurch. Dannevirke .. .. 4,406 11,300 2 11 3 7,535 1 14 2 6 1-39 8,680 1,055 0 4 9 172 692 3 2 Dannevirke. Dargaville .. .. 2,061 12,455 6 0 10 3,573 1 14 8 5 2-29 4,655 2,107 I 10 5 447 549 5 4 Dargaville. Dunedin Metropolitan 69,032 194,056 2 16 2 80,388 1 3 3 106 1-53 59,793 26,568 0 7 8 251 14,068 4 1 Dunedin Mtrpltn. Feilding .. .. 4,447 16,219 3 12 11 6,630 1 9 10 6 1-30 5,044 1,672 0 7 6 289 720 3 3 Feilding. Foxton .. .. 1,729 4,820 2 15 9 1,822 111 4 2-15 6,830 2,451 1 8 4 661 460 5 4 Fox ton. Gisborne .. .. 13,855 62,010 4 9 6 23,077 1 13 4 22 1-56 24,240 11,093 0 16 0 516 2,455 3 6 Gisborne. Greymouth .. .. 6,337 17,301 2 14 7 7.510 1 3 8 9 1-41 32,174 8,524 1 6 11 951 1,022 3 3 Greymoutb. Hamilton .. .. 15.396 59,072 3 16 9 20,792 1 7 0 20 0-80 25,746 4,260 0 5 6 345 2,737 3 7 Hamilton. Hastings .. .. 11.478 36,272 3 3 2 16,080 1 8 0 18 1-56 24,504 7,179 0 12 6 402 1,817 3 2 Hastings. Hawera .. .. 4,676 15,576 3 6 7 7,781 1 13 3 8 1-66 11,876 1,808 0 7 9 232 1,189 5 1 Hawera. Hokitika .. .. 2,523 3,907 1 11 0 2,921 1 3 2 5 1-96 8,591 2.465 0 19 6 498 591 4 8 Hokitika. Invercargill .. .. 19,647 71,361 3 12 8 23,477 1 3 11 36 1-83 47.221 13,533 0 13 9 377 5,270 5 4 Invercargill. Kaiapoi .. .. 1,708 2,238 1 6 2 2,393 1 8 0 4 2-30 25,984 3,567 2 1 9 910 649 7 7 Kaiapoi. Kaitangata .. .. 1.467 1,690 1 3 0 1.115 0 15 2 2 1-22 4,343 883 0 12 0 493 159 2 1 Kaitangata, Lawrence .. .. 663 1,297 1 19 1 714 1 1 7 1 1-93 3,770 421 0 12 8 329 92 2 9 Lawrence. Levin .. .. 2,599 6,255 2 8 1 3,782 1 9 1 5 1-90 9,745 2,047 0 15 9 416 617 4 9 Levin. Masterton .. .. 8,630 27,405 3 3 6 12,668 1 9 4 13 1-51 18,539 5,899 0 13 8 454 2,048 4 9 Masterton. Milton .. .. 1,517 4,040 2 13 3 2.198 1 9 0 1 0-94 1,000 155 0 2 0 109 184 2 5 Milton. Napier .. .. 15,868 57,666 3 12 8 27,146t 1 14 31 21 1-30 32,161 11.407J 0 14 3 551 4,014 5 1 Napier. New Plymouth .. 15.446 55,674 3 12 1 18,750 1 4 3 16 1-04 9,593 4,901 0 6 4 306 1.987 2 7 New Plymouth. Oamaru .. .. ! 7,442 26,495 3 11 2 7,974 1 1 8 7 0-92 23,878 4,221 Oil 4 616 1,077 2 11 Oamaru. Ohakune .. .. i 1,470 2,353 1 12 0 1,374 0 18 9 5 3-54 11,825 3,191 2 3 5 612 413 5 7 Ohakune. Palmerston North .. 20,268 71,659 3 10 9 30,633 1 10 3 35 1-73 31,637 12,759 0 12 7 365 4,039 4 0 Palmerston North. Petone .. .. 10,396 26,383 2 10 9 13,385 1 5 9 9 0-88 5,070 1,794 0 3 6 196 1.689 3 3 Petone. Port Chalmers .. 2,516 4,538 1 16 0 2,227 0 17 9 3 1 12 2,135 735 0 5 10 260 245 1 11 Port Chalmers. Rotorua .. .. 5,143 9,358 1 16 5 7,026 1 7 4 9 1-71 7,416 2,519 0 9 10 287 1,065 4 2 Rotorua. Taumarunui .. .. 2,494 8,274 3 6 4 3,235 1 5 II 6 2-61 7,942 2,249 0 18 0 345 520 4 2 Taumarunui. Tauranga .. .. 2,915 7,926 2 14 3§ 4,213§ 1 8 11 4 1-49 11,457 2,506 0 17 2 576 647 4 5 Tauranga. TeAroha .. .. 2,427 6,347 2 12 4 3,823 1 11 5 4 1-74 4,426 1.774 0 14 7 419 596 4 11 Te Aroha. Timaru .. .. 16,553 54,533 3 5 11 17,845 I 1 9 17 1-03 19,457 4,873 0 5 11 285 2,516 3 0 Timaru. Waihi .. .. 3,476 4,796 1 7 7 2,795 0 16 1 10 2-85 5.909 2,761 0 15 11 278 688 4 0 Waihi. Waitara .. .. 1,838 4,306 2 6 10 2,513 1 7 4 2 0-86 5,044 1,568 0 17 1 992 232 2 6 Waitara. Wanganui .. .. 24,309 97,688 4 0 5 34,591 1 8 6 37 1-53 14,074 7,964 0 6 7 214 7,044 5 10 Wanganui. Whangarei .. .. 6,987 25,413 3 12 9 8,052 1 3 0 8 111 36,569 5,683 0 16 3 723 1,009 2 11 Whangarei. 532,010 1,888,245 3 11 0 703,697 1 6 7 787 1-48 .. 271,711 0 10 2 346 100,286 3 9 Thirteen years' average, 1,491.813 5,383,290 3 12 2 1,848,152 1 4 9 4,715 3-16 1,636,119 1,016,124 0 13 7 216 .. .. Thirteen years' averwhole .Dominion age, whole Dominion. * Includes statistics for Onehunga, Mount Koskill. and Newmarket Tire Boards from date of inception to date of incorporation in Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board. t Ten-year average. J Thirteen-year average. § Eleven-year average.

IL—l2

Table IIIb.— Average Statistics for other Fire Districts.

Table IV.— Areas protected by Fire Boards.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (2,240 copies), £22 10s.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1938.

Price 6d.]

10

District \veraee f Population Municipal Rates Insurance pJemfiimt Number 1,000 of I Loss in any ™ T Fire Loss Los3 1 n - fr - t District. j A W Population. Rates. per Head. I Premiums. ! ™™ 8 of Fires. Popula- Individual Flre Loss * per Head, j per Fire. Expendi- ture per District. 1 | i per iieaa. tion Year ! ture - Head. | I I I | £ £ s. d. £ £ s. d. £ I £ £ s. d. £ £ s. d. Birkenhead .. 5 3,428 12,578 : 3 14 0 4,014 1 3 5 2 0-46 802 227 0 1 4 143 514 3 0 Birkenhead. Cambridge .. 6 2,195 7,724 ; 3 10 5 3,165 1 8 10 3 1-38 3,175 1,332 0 12 2 440 470 4 3 Cambridge. Eltham .. .. 13 2,017 6,515 3 4 7 2,509 1 4 11 3 1-56 2,672 989 0 9 10 314 447 4 5 Eltham." Hikurangi .. 9 1,190 2,279 1 18 4 1,120 0 18 10 1 1-11 1,204 377 0 6 4 286 214 3 6 Hikurangi. Morrinsville .. 1 1,850 8,834 4 15 6 2,395 1 5 11 .. .. .. .. .. .. 622 6 10 Morrinsville. Nelson .. .. 4 11,252 36,495 3 4 10 16,362 1 9 1 11 1-02 3,924 2,084 0 3 8 182 2,152 3 10 Nelson Opotiki .. .. 8 1,347 3,964 2 18 10 2,031 1 10 2 3 2-23 3,609 800 0 11 11 267 530 7 10 Opotiki. Otaki .. .. 12 1,634 4,629 2 16 8 1,872* 1 2 11 3 1-99 6,659 1,346 0 16 6 414 346 4 3 Otaki. Pahiatua .. .. 11 1,552 4,131 2 13 3 3,366 2 3 5 3 1-81 11,775 2,532 1 12 7 901 394 5 1 Pahiatua. Pukekohe.. .. 11 2,519 12,500 4 19 3 3,142 1 4 11 3 1-06 5,680 763 0 6 1 286 685 5 5 Pukekohe. Taihape .. .. 7 2,379 9.208 3 17 5 3,657 1 10 9 1 0-60 856 199 0 1 8 139 525 4 5 Taihape TeAwamutu .. 10 1,928 9,974 5 3 6 3,319 1 14 5 3 1-56 4,510 1,047 0 10 10 349 494 5 1 Te Awamutu. Waipukurau .. 11 1,976 6,324 3 4 0 3,065 1 11 0 4 1-84 7,167 1,596 0 16 2 438 345 3 6 Waipukurau Wairoa .. .. 11 2,475 10.264 4 2 11 4,082 1 13 0 5 2-02 101,707+ 11.854+ 4 15 10 2,371 557 4 6 Wairoa, Wellington .. 11 110.682 470,390 4 5 0 186,669 1 13 9 180 1-63 294,070 82,900 0 15 0 454 28,370 5 1 Wellington. Westport .. .. 13 3.994 9,273 2 6 6 4,262 1 1 4 5 1-35 11,989 3,238 0 16 3 604 643 3 3 Westport Woodville .. .. 6 1,093 2,742 2 10 2 1,401 1 5 8 3 >59 4,116 1,228 1 2 6 434 364 6 8 Woodville. * Seven-year average. t Fire-loss figures corrected in accordance with returns supplied subsequently.

1 Nrnnhpi Fires in- i Tnsured ? ir e Uninsured District. j Population, Vah.o, | °"« re e^ $ Protected by Remarks. tails. ot rroperty. j Co j, tents , Contents. £ | £ £ j £ Belfast (works only) .. .. .. j .. . . .. .. | Christchurch Fire Board .. .. ; Payment for attendances. Fairfield .. .. .. .. I 2 1 j 8 .. 8 Hamilton Fire Board .. ... County pays £25 p.a. plus £5 for every call in excess of five. Feilding (works only) .. .. .. • • •• ' • • • • ■ • Feilding Fire Board .. .. Payment for attendances. Hamilton (hospital only) .. .. j . . | • • • • . . .. j Hamilton Fire Board .. Nominal payment. Hawera .. .. .. 605* 210,000* .. .. .. .. .. 1 Hawera Fire Board .. . . County pays £75 p.a. to Fire Board. Mangere .. .. 765* 522.000* •• •• .. .. ! Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board . . j County pays £75 p.a. plus £5 for every call in . excess of ten. New Lynn .. .. 3,540 507,942 j .. .. .. .. Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board .. Borough pays £100 p.a. plus £5 for every call in excess of ten. Cashmere j County pays £300 p.a. to Fire Board. Fendalton .. )-j 11,850* 3,824,638* 41 15 3,237 .. 3,237 Christchurch Fire Board .. < County pays £450 p.a. to Fire Board. Riccarton j [_ Borough pays £450 p.a. to Fire Board. West Harbour (works only) .. .. 1 .. ! .. j .. . . j Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board .. Payment for attendances. I 16,760 | 5,064,580 44 16 i 3.245 j .. j 3,245 * Estimated.