FIREMEN IN CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 64, 17 March 1898, Page 6

FIREMEN IN CONFERENCE.

ANNUAL MEETING OF DELE-

GATES

The Annual Conference of delegates to the United Fire Brigades' Association commenced on February 22 in the V.M.C.A. Lecture Hall, Albert-Street, Captain Leach (.Port Chalmers), the President of the Association, occupied the chair. THE KOLL CALL. The Secretary called the roll of delegates, of whom the following' were present: —Captain Alf. Fookes (Ashburton), Foreman M. H. Keesing (Auckland), Lieut. Ed. James (Blenheim), Foreman Stead (Bluff), Caplain Jos. Outram (Gaversham), Secretary Salmon (Dunedin Railway), Foreman IS. Tattersall (Christchurch), Foreman I). Round (Christchurch Railway), Lieutenant A. E. Pocock (Danevir'ke), Captain Strude (Devon port), Secretary Salmon (Dunedin City). Thos. Moore (Eden Terrace), Captain j (i. T. Holland (East Town Railway),' Secretary 11. Worsfold (Feildjng), Sub-Superintendent Morrison (Gisbornc), Foreman ,1. T. Why to (Gore), Secretary J. G. Walton (Grcymouth), Captain/H. W. Duff (CJrcytown), Captain (.'. liransch (Hastings), Uranchman F. Whiting (Havvera), Secretary Alex. Harkness (Invercargill), Lieut. A. J. ilaslemore (Invercargill Kailway), Fireman G. McGregor (Kaiapoi), Lieut, W. Jienyon (Kumara), Enginekeeper Symes (Knripuni), Captain Toomey (Lytteltou), Foreman I; 1. \V. Parker (Masterton), Foreman .1. Kwing-ton (.Masterton), Captain Keyes (Mount Eden), Superintendent .I. Fenton (Xewlon), Superintendent Waterworth (Napier), Captain Bird (Nelson), Foreman Prince (Newmarket), Foreman Cleland (New Plymouth), Superintendent E. Smith (Oainaru), Superintendent, Tingey (Palmerston North), Captain D. Leach (Port Chalmers), Captain .1. O'llara (Paeroa), Fireman A. H. Stewart (Parnell), Captain W. Austin (Petone), Fireman C. \V. Philpotts (Pit-ton), Foreman .1. Farrant (Queenstown), Superintendent J. Smith (Kangiorn). Secretary E. J. Scantlebury( Reef ton), Fireman W. Moore (Nelson), Superintendent. "KemuiU (Roslyn), J. Smith (Southbrook). Fireman It. Brown (South Dunedin). Superintendent W. Lucas (Spit), Brtuiehman Win. Rowson (Stratford). Superintendent C. Phillips (Snmner), Foreman T. (Junnion (Temuka), Captain .1. 11. Jones (Timaru), Captain Sinclair (Waimate). Lieut. Abrahams (Waipawa), Foreman G. Spriggens (Wang-anui), Fireman McYiear (Wellington), and Captain O'Neill (West port). ANNUAL RKPORT. The Executive's report, while congratulating the members on the advancement made, regretted that their financial position was not as satisfactory as they should like. The credit balance amounted to A; 27:2 12s lid; against this there were outstanding liabilities which totalled £125 Is Od; in addition to the cash balance there were assets of the value of .ESt Us, leaving total available balance of ,L2:;i J-ls 2d. This, with the grant of C2oO from the Government, and the amount of the levy made on all representatives attending- the Conference and Demonstration, would all be absorbed by tjie expense of the present gathering. During the year serious tires had occurred in several parts of the colony, especially so in Auckland, Wellington, liivereargill, and (lore. They are glad to be able to state that members of the Association had acquittted themselves with credit. which went to show that the lire service of the colony was becoming- more valuable and elheient year by year in protecting life imd property. There were now ":? brigades enrolled of the register, with an effective membership of about I ,SOO men. The report, and balance-sheet were adopted. A LEW FOR EXPENSES. After some discussion it was resolved 'That the action of the Executive in levying 5/ per member be approved, and'that if the levy bo not paid, the Brigades shall lie responsible for the payment.' R EGULATI ON BA DO ES. Captain Fookes fAshburton) moved and it was carried "That the Executive submit to the next meeting of delegates designs for distinctive badges for officers of brigades, the same to be adopted by officers as the ivguj Union badges of officers of brigades j belonging to the Association.' j STATE FIRE INSURANCE. The Secretary said he understood | that, the State Fire Insurance Scheme ! would come before Parliament next ! session, and the Association ought to take some action in the matter, and communicate with the Government. I Kx-President Bellringer said the • scheme would affect the Association, and they needed to watch very carefully the details laid before the Government. It was highly necessary and, in fact, essential to the existence of the Association that they should have, a committee who would watch carefully everything that was done in i that direction. Alter a good deal of discussion a i proposition in favour of leaving the • matter in the hands of the Executive waa carried by a large majority. IMPROVEMENTS IN PLANT, Foreman Spriggens moved, "That the ' Executive should make it known that they would lie glad to have an exhibition of plant at each Conference." Fireman MeVicar seconded, and the, motion was carried. THE COMPETITION GEAR. Secretary Harkness moved : " That in • future the' Association keep the plant used al the Demonstration instead of selling it, and forward it to whatever town the Demonstration is to be held at the next year, for the purpose of giving all the visiting teams the chance of practising with it, instead of using the local brigades' gear." Captain Keyes moved as an amendment : that the matter he held over till next year, and after discussion the amendment was carried. A PRESENTATION. Capt. J. W. Anderson, of the Coromandel Fire Brigade, was presented with the Association's gold star for 25 years' ! service. Capt. Anderson is the first in the ' Auckland district to qualify for a long service medal, and President Leach in making the presentation expressed the hope that he would long be spared to wear it. The recipient replied suitably. NEXT YEAR'S CONFERENCE. Invitations Avere received from Queens- • town and Masterton Brigades to hold the i Conference in their respective towns next year. A vote on the point resulted in Queenstown being chosen as the place of • meeting by 45 to 8. f ELECTION OF OFFICERS. r For the position of President, Secretary s A. Martin was the only nominee, and he j was therefore declared duly elected. Capt. 3 sident Martin on being installed briefly I returned thanks for his election. Captain 3 Powell (Wanganui) and Superintendent J. Smith. (Rangiora) were elected Vice-

'residents. Secretary J. G. Gilberd was e-elected unopposed, and Frank \V. Qarler was re-appointed auditor. VCCIDENT ASSURANCE SOCIET\. The sixth annual meeting of the United j'ire Brigades' Accident Assurance Society vas held at the close of the Conference. Superintendent E. Smith occupied the The annual report stated that there had ieen a gratifying increase in, the funds for ,he year. The balance-sheet (for Hi nonttis) showed the total receipts to be £487 15s od, including a previous balance >f £355 11s lOd. The expenditure for the lame period was £42 2s, leaving a credit mlanee of £4.45 13s ad. The report and balance - sheet were uloptecl. . Notice of motion from .Napier Jure Brigade : " That three grades of contributions be adopted, viz. : Towns of a popuation of 2,000, 2s per member per annum ; Tom 3,000 to 5,000, 2s (3d ; and 5,000 and jver, 3s, with the addition that for towns )ver 10,000 the ■contribution be 3s fid." Captain Fooks moved as an amendment, 'That the contribution for towns of popuation 5,000 to 10,000 be 3s; JO,OOO to >5,000, 3s Od ; and over 25,000, 45." Foreman Spriggens seconded, and the imendment was carried, after some discussion. The report of the Committee was then idopted, with the alteration as defined in Captain Foolcs' motion. On the motion of Secretary walton.it was resolved, "That the Association pass x resolution asking every local body to insure their brigade hi the Accident Society." Officers for the ensuing year were elected w follows : — President, Superintendent E. Smith (re-elected) ; Vice-Presidents, Captain Fooks, Captain Tingey and Secretary Walton ; Secretary and Treasurer, wibSuperintendent J. G. Gilberd (re-elected); auditors, F. W. Garner and W. Hodgson (re-elected). Til 10 DEMONSTRATION. Tlu' Fire Brigades' Demonstration under the auspices of the United Fire. Brigades Association of New Zealand was commenced on the Domain ground vii February 25, About three thousand persons patronised the Demonstration on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 28. The Hose and Ladder Competition for live men was won by Auckland. Towards the close a gloom was cast over the proceedings through a boy named Percy Grainger, nine years of age, living at Charlotte-street, Eden Terrace, losing his life. He was playing near the supports from which the discs used in the competition were suspended. One of these supports (a big wooden post) fell on him and fractured his skull. The competitions resulted as follows : — COUPLING COMPETITION (for two men). Napier, 40 -l-ollis sec 1 C'hristchureh City, 41 1-Sth sec... 2 Timuru, 4J :J-stlis sec 3 MANUEL ENGINE, DHY (one man). A*hburton (James Dorm), 3S l-sth sec I Kangiora (W. Jordon), 39 3-sth sec ... 2 Christchurch City (W. Juriss), 4l«ec ... 3 Tiniaru (Campbell), 4"2 sec 4 MANUAL COMPETITION (lor rive men). Name Time Penalty Total Place Hawera ... 13 3-5s O.s '43 3-5s 1 Rangiora... 4S 3-5s 0s 48 3-. r>s 2 Core ... 4!) 3-5s 0s 40 3-5s 3 HOSE AND HYDRANT COMPETITION" ( for three .men). (iisborne antl Wanganui tied fnr the first, place with 31 2-sspc respectively, and New Plymouth, Ilawera, Spit, and Miisterfnn for third place, the timebeing :;~ _'-ssec, In the decider for first place (iisborne won from Wangamii in l".i l-j.sec. Wanganui was placed second with 30 4 l-ssec (-.sec penalty). In the deciding run for third place between the four teams Now Plymouth won in the splendid time t)i':l7 ;;-.">sec. This time, has not been beaten at any previous domonsjtral ion. HOSK AND REEL (for live men). Tiniaru, 57»ec ... ... •■• ••• 1 Wanganui, 00 l-f>see 2 Mastcrton .Municipal, (30 2-osec ... 3 Grey mouth, HO 3-fjsec 4 Mount. Eden run was 60 1-nth sec, but they were disqualified for not striking the disc with the first water. LADDER AND BABY RESCUE (for • two men). Name. Time. Place. Ashburton ... ... 20 2-58. 1 Waipawa "21s. 2 Eastown Railway... 21 2-os. 3 HOSE AND LADDER COMPETITION (for live men). Name. Time. Penalty. Total. Place. Auckland 37 3-s«*. 2s. 39 3-ns. ! Timaru 37 4-ss. 2s. 39 4-ss. 2 Napier 41 os. 41s. 3 The names of the successful team were : Messrs Geo. Moore, Coylc, Mouldcn, Mc--1 >ennott, and Williamson. They were heartily applauded for their fine effort. HJCYCIiE, HOSE AND HYDRANT (for two men). Hasting « Urigade (Catterall and Kyraona). Imin 45 2-. r)th sec 1 Christchureh City Team, lniin 515 ::-.") t.h sec 2 Waipawa No. 2, Imin 58 2-sth sec. o ALA KM AND DISABLED HOSE (for five men). Christen vtroh City Brigade, Imin 0 4-stil sec ", 1 Ilawera, Imi 11 4 3-sth sec , 2 Ashburton, Imin 4 4-sth 5ec.,...., 3 'J'he winners did their -work' in very smart time. The Auckland team's lime was Imin 14 3-sth sec. HOSE, HYDRANT AND LADDER COMPETITION (for live men). Wanganui .... 1 New Plymouth ... ... ..... .... 2 Tiniaru ... .... ..... ... .... 3 THE AGGREGATES. As the result of the aggregates in the hydrant events (high pressure), the Timaru Brigade won the shield presented by the Fire Brigades Association for hydrant events. The Association's shield for manual events was won by the Ashburton Brigade. The Timaru Brigade also secured Shand, Mason and Co.'s shield for highest points in all competitions. The visiting firemen were entertained at a smoke concert in the Agricultural Hall on the evening of February 26th.