FIRE BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 10

FIRE BOARD

EQUIPMENT OF BRIGADE

SUPERINTENDENT TO REPORT

The quarterly meeting of tiie Palmerston Fire Board was held to-day, when Mr A. J. Graham presided. Others present were Messrs L. H. Collinson, W. L. Fitzherbert and W. A. Parton and D. S. N. McCartney (Wellington). The superintendent (Mr W. H. Barnard) reported that the brigade had received 19 calls during the quarter, none of which had been of a serious nature. Three had been to chimney fire 3, two hedge, two grass, one rubbish, one hay, six false alarms (four of which were malicious) and four actual fires. There had not been any loss on contents which had not been covered by insurance. A loss of 10s had resulted on buildings which had not been covered by insurance and £25 10s had been the estimated loss on buildings covered by insurance. On returning from drill No. 1 motor had stripped the back axle and had burst a sprocket wheel. A new ono was refitted on Saturday, December 10. Tho present strength of the brigade in all ranks was 27, while the attendance of firemen at fires and drills had been satisfactory. TRAILER PUMP. Mr Macartney mentioned that some time ago the superintendent had made overtures lor a new machine, but it had been considered that an outlay of £llOO could not bo entertained meantime. However, it might be advisable for tho bonrd to seriously consider the purchase of an auxiliary pump at an outlay of £3OO or £4OO. He was afraid that some day Palmerston North might have a serious conflgration and the brigade not have the plant to fight it. The speaker moved that the sueprintendent be authorised to report oil the matter. In seconding the motion, Mr Parton stated that the city of Palmerston North was now a large one with increasing dangers of fire. The superintendent could go into the question of the capabilities of a trailer pump which had proved quite satisfactory in certain towns in the Dominion. The chairman commented that while he felt sure that the contributing bodies were desirous that the brigade should be fittingly equipped, it was hardly advisable to ask for support towards the purchase of a new machine involving an outlay of £llOO at the present time when the rate money was coming in slowly. However, the efficiency of a trailer pump could lie gone into by the superintendent, who could report to the board later. When put to the meeting, the motion was carried unanimously. Accounts amounting to £206 15s 2d were passed for payment. At the conclusion of business Mr Parton extended the season’s greetings to the chairman, the superintendent and, through him, to the brigade, the good’ wishes being reciprocated by the chairman.