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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.

4

.= 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