FIRE FIGHTERS' CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 55, 6 March 1911, Page 8

FIRE FIGHTERS' CONGRESS.

THE COMPETITIONS. "(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HOKITIKA, Sunday. The annual fire brigades' competitions we , r e commenced h6ie yesterday, when epltendid weather prevailed. Of the eleven competiUoue.to.be held,.two were got off, namely, the two men coupling (dry) and the one man manual events. The -high pressure borough water supply was very favourably commented upon toy the competitors, whose general verdict waa that it A a ?«? n i nU s a rJ?'* BUlted for """PettUon work, itn „ L te ? me ""apeted in the coupDry Coupling.—Mauterton, 88s, 1; Dunedin South (inclusive penalty. 2s), and Hokitlka (Is penalty), equal, 2. Time, 38 2-ss. The tie is to be run. off on Monday. Hamilton, fourth, time 40s (including 3s penalty)': Hastings, fifth, time 40 3-5e (includlnc 3s penalty); Hillside Ball-way sixth, time 41 4-5s (Including 2s penalty); Timaru, 42 l-ss, tied for seventh place-with Auckland Bailway (Iβ penalty). Other competitors were: Carterton, 43e; Napier, 43 2-ss; Wanganui, 43 3-ss; Patea, 43 4-ss; Dunedin South, 445; Dannevlrke, 455; Newmarket, 4& 3-r»; Mohgiel, 47 2-os. One Man Manual Event:—Timaru 37 l-5e 1; Hokltlka, 40s, 2; Dunedin City, 40 3-ss! 3; Geraldlne, 40s (including 3b penalty), 4; Timaru Railway and Masterton, 42 2-se, deed heat, 5. Other competitors: Greymonth 43s Oβ penalty); Hastings, 44 2-ss; Napier, 45 l-5s (5s penalty); Greytown, 45 2-6s; Carterton, 46s (Is penalty); Lower Hutt, 48 2-ss; Patea, 51 l-5s (3s penalty). The following are the first six teams out of the 25 who have so far competed in the reel and ladder (wet) event: —TMmaru 59 3-ss; Invercargill, 61 4-ss; Wanganui, 63 2-5 a (4s penalty); Dunedin City, 66 2-ss; Naseby, 67 4-se; Bostyn, G8 2-5s (Is penalty). The Caveisham, Stratford, Beefton, Napier, and Hokltlka teams were disqualified. The lastmentioned have entered a protest. ■

The nineteenth annual meeting of the United Fire Brigade Accident Association was held last night. Captain Spriggins (Wanganul) presided. The report stated that in spite of the numerous accident claims made and paid during the past year, a satisfactory credit balance had accrued. To an extent this may be attributed to the reduced claims from the larger brigades. Reference is made in the report to the neglect shown by the brigades in regard to the registering of new members. Four brigades had joined the society, which now has a total membership of 8S brigades, making a grand total membership of 1581, nn increase of 62 since the last meeting. Tie amount to the credit of the accident fund of the society Is £1662. The funds of the society are reported to be well invested, £1530 being loaned on Government, borough, and harbour board debentures, bearing interest at an average of 4J per cent. The usual allowance of £50 was voted in connection -with the death of a deceased fireman, a former resident of Feilding. It was resolved that any officer who had already filled the position of president was not eligible for re-election. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Captain Hanson (Westport); vice-presidents, Superintendent Bellrlnger (New Plymouth), Captain Ralston (Inglewood); secretary, Mr T. J. Watts (Newmarket): treasurer, Mr Seantlebnry (Reefton); auditor,- Mr P. B. Fraser (Auckland).