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FREMANTLE FIRE INSURANCE.
Water Supply Criticised.
Complaint against the Water Supply
Department at the_ delay in providing
water pipes of sufficient -carrying capacity
to make Fremantle and A-Grade distric
fts far as-/ fire insurance risks are con
cerned, was made at a meeting of the
Fremantle Municipal Council on Mon
day night. The receipt of a letter from
the department, notifying that the eon
tract for the supply of pip'es for a better
water service at Chester Park, in the
South Fremantle district, had been let,
was 'the subject of comment by the Mayor
(Mr. J. Cookc).
'In connection with this matter,' he
said, 'I would suggest that the Minis
ter for Work* be written to and reques
ted to state when it .is intended to instal
an improved fire service in the city area
of Fremantle. CounciDojs are aware
that the city area pays enormous sums
annually by way of water rates, which
are far greater than the . service war
rants. This district is paying, and has
been paying for the past 16 years, an
inflated fire insurance rate due to the in
adequate water supply. The Govern
ment, last year, installed a better service
in East Fremantle, and now has let
a contract for a new installation in South
Fremantle. The city area, which has
been paying the piper for many years,
does not seem to be allowed to call the
tune. Some two years ago the present
Minister for Works promised to instal
a fire ring in Fremantle, and the Fire
Brigades Superintendent said that, if this
was done, he would have no hesitation in
declaring iFremantle an A-Grade centre
for insurance purposes. It is now for
the council to say whether the extension
in -South Fremantle, which is for purely
domestic purposes, should not have been
made in conjunction with a scheme
which would have relieved the residents
of the city area of the burden of having
to pay annually many thousands of
pounds more than they should in insur
ance rates.'
Several councillors expressed them
selves in similar strain. It was de
cided to write to the Minister in ac
eordan-ce with the Mayor's suggestion,
pointing out the feeling of the council
on the matter.
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