EIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1891, Page 7

EIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

The annual Conference of delegates in connection with the United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand commenced on the 24th of March in the Oddfellows' Hall, Cook-streeb. .On the previous Sunday a church parade took place, when several hundred firemen in addition to 'the delegates marched to St. Matthew's Anglican Church, and St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.

Lieubenanb E. Smibh, of Christchurch, presided, and Lieutenanb Adams occupied the vice chair. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. H. Upton) atbended, and addressed a few words of welcome bo the delegates. The roll showed bhab bhe following delegabea were presenb :—Ashburbon, Captain Fooks ; Kumara, Secrotary Linderman (proxy); Parnell, Captain Cowan, Foreman Forgie ; Spib, Secretary Wilkie, Fireman Riddell ; Waipawa, Superintendent A. E. Jull, Sub-Superintendent G. Abrahams ; Masterton Volunteer, Lieutenanb J. Temperley : Port Chalmers, T. D. Cummins (proxy); Naseby, Foreman Ferguson ; Christchurch Railway, Department Superintendent Hemsworth, Branchman Ray; Masberbon, Foreman Simmonds (proxy); Woodville, Supt. Grinlington, Fireman Hawken; Invercargill Railway, Captain Styles, Acting-Foreman Graham ; Napier, Superintendent VYaberworbh, Branchman Fothergill ; Palmerston North, Captain Tinge}', Secretary Salmon ; Kaiapoi, Fireman Brighting; Ashburton, Lieutenant J. J. .C. Juane; Gisborne, Branchman McGowan, Fireman Hoare; Nelson, Foreman Truman; Hastings, Sub-Supeiintendenb A. A. George, Foreman C. Bronsche; Roslyn, Foreman Millar, Fireman R. Clay ; Invercargill Southern, Captain Stewart, Fireman Stead; South Dunedin, Branchman McClintock; Auckland, Superintendent Hughes, Secrotary Little; Wanganui, Secretary Cummins, Delegate Tong ; Master Municipal, Lieutenant) Morris, Foreman Pragnall; Geraldine, Captain Walton, Fireman Pi outing; Temuka, Lieutenant G. McSheeby Gentlemun, Foreman Clinch; Gore and Gordon, Captain Wailis, Secretary Baker ; Oamaru, Captain Mainland, Foreman Cowper; Reefton, Lieutenant Lawson, Secretary Scantlebury ; Greymouth, Foreman Ryan, Secretary J. G. Walton; Hokitika, Foreman Ross, Secretary Linderman ; Hawera, Captain Johnston, Branchman Wilson; Mounb Eden, Capb. Keyes ; Newton, Superintendent Fenton ; Southwark, Secretary Wilson (proxy); Naseby, Capb. Hosie, Foreman Ferguson ; Marton, Capbain Gibbons ; Blenheim, Captain McArbnoy, Fireman James; Timaru, Foreman Hollow, Secretary Muchmore; Wellington, Branchman Parsonage, Fireman Kennedy ; Invercargill, Branchman Cook, Fireman McKay; New Plymoubh, Lieubenanb Bellringer, Secretary Ainsworbh ; Queensbown, Capbain Donne; Soubh Dunedin, Fireman Gubbins ; Thames, Engine-keeper Anderson, Engine-keeper Redward; Invercargill Southern. Treasurer Stead ; Rangiora, Secretary Wilson ; Chrisbohurch, Engineer Fraser.

The annual report showed that good progress had been made during the year. The Association had a credit balance of £233 14s lOd, wibh a roll of 54 brigades and a membership of 1,100 men.

An amount of routine business was trans' acted, including instruction that as far as possible blue uniforms should bo adopted, together with the titles captain and lieutenant in lieu of superintendent and subsuperintendent. It was also decided to lay a Fire Brigades Bill before the House nextsession.andto hold the next demonstration and conferenceatChrisbchurch. A valour medal was awarded to Fireman E. Thompson, and a long-service. medal to George Taylor, of Wellington. Captain Cummins, Superintendent Waterworth, and Lieubenanb Smibh wero appointed trustees for the funds of the Association. On Wednesday, 25th of March, the Conference again sat, when the following officers were elected : — President, Lieutenant Smith (third term); Vice-presidents, Superintendent Jull and Captain Fooks ; and Seere' tary, Sub-superintendent Gilberd.

In the morning the delegates were photographed in a group, and during the afternoon enjoyed a sail down the harbour in the ferry steamer Eagle. Ab 8 o'clock in the evening they were entertained ab a banqueb, ab which the Hon. Mr Ward and Mr J. H, Upton (Mayor) were presenb.

An adjourned meeting of the Committed of the Charitable Aid Board was held on March 19 to hear furbher evidence regarding complaints against the manager. There were present: Messrs Atkin, Dignan, Bollard, Kidd, Lennox, Mays; also Mr Garland and Mr Moss. Mr Lennox then moved, " That the Board, after a most exhaustive inquiry into the complaints against the manager and his wife at the Costley Home, exonerate Mr and Mrs Mosg from blame ; and in the case of Mrs Ycung, albhough regrebting that the manager was obliged to enforce discipline, it appears from the evidence thab no undue harshness was used." This was carried unanimously, lb was also decided to leave Mrs Young iii the hands of the Committee to a reply to her complaint.