ANNUAL MEETING.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7010, 17 July 1918, Page 4

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Tauranga Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the Central Station on Thursday cveniug last. Mr -B C Robtios, Chairman oftha Fire Board, was voted to the chair.

Report and Balance Sheet

Fuperintendeut J B, Padlie read the annual report for the year ended June 30, 1918, as foliow3: "The balance-sheet shows the Brigade still has'a c;pdit balance, but the amount is not enough to carry it through another year. Oo account of this av.ful war no call was made on the general public for subscriptions, and I am sorry to say no honorary members' subscriptions have been received. This latter is /ather regrettable, as the Brigade cannot be carried on successfully without funds, and during the next twelve months the question of increasing the credit balance will have to be seriously considered. The credit balance at the Post Office Savings Bank stands at £12. The expenditure for the year amounted to £7 83 sd, which, 1 thinlr, is considerably below any previous year ; and donations received totalled £4. The past year has been a record one as far as the attendance of Brigadesmen is concerned, and I cannot but say that it has been a pleasure indeed to see the ranks filled at almost every practice—botli Board and competition—and to work with such a keen enthusiastic body of men. The zeal and energy shown by each Brigadestnau in any work taken in hand, will make for efficiency and competence, which is the life blood of Fire Brigades. There were seven fire calls for the year—an increase of one on last year—four to gorse, rubbish, etc, and three to buildings, one of which was practically a total loss through no fault of the Brigade. The result of the Competition for trophies doneccd by myself (2) aud Mr F Armer, was that Deputy-Superintendent Carter, proved the winner with 15 points, Foreman Sorrensen being second with 14 points and First Hydrant man Hartnett third with 13 points. The competition was very keenly contested through the whole year The attendance prize, donated by Mr W T Teasey, was won by Third Ilydrantinan Kingdon. During the year an appeal was made to tyie Fire Board for the purchase of a motor, for the use of the Brigade in cases of fire, but the Board considered tho time was not ripe and the matter was held in abeyance. Three new members have joined the Brigade during the year, and have shown a keen interest in their work. Since the outbreak of the war 11 members of the Brigade have gono abroad with tho JS r Z Expeditionary Forces. I regret to Ray that two have paid the supreme sacrifice, and. needless to say, the whole Brigade extends its deepest sympathy to tho bereaved ones. During the year the Brigade's banking account was transferred from the Bank of New Zealand to the Post Office Savings Bank, members considering the latter more beneficial to the Brigade. Both the Central

and Quarter Acres stations and gear have been kept in good order during the year by the Brigadesmeuj as heretofore, the position of station caretaker not having been filled, 1 take this opportunity of thanking both officers and men for the way in which they have worked together for the welfare of the Brigade, their combined efforts beiag very gratifying Before closing; this report I wish to sincerely thank the Tauran^a Fire Board for their consideration in supplying the material for the lining and finishing off of the station social hall, which is now comfortable and homely ; also, Mr J H Griffiths fcr kindly auditing the accounts of the Brigade, The opportunity will again be given \ ou of electing officers for the ensuing year, aud I feel you will use your good judc;n:ent in selecting men who are keen and in whom you have every confidence, and whom you consider have the working of the Brigade at heart." The. balance-sheet was read and disclosed a credit balance of £12 plus 14s 5d petty cash. The Chairman moved—That the rrport and balance-sheet be adopted, ict doing so he complimented the Superintendent on the excellent report submitted and the satisfactory working of the Brigade. The motion was seconded by Foreman Sorrensen and carried. Officers. Officers for the ensuing year were "elected as follows:—Foreman, Mr A Sorrenson ; first brauchman, Mr D Webb; second branebman, Mr T, Monk ; third branchrnan, Mr M Aldis; first hydrautman, Mr S Oliver ; second hydrant-man, Mr J Robinson ; third hydrantruan, Mr f J Kingdon ; Secretary, Mr C J Kirk ; treasurer, Mr M Aldis. Mr Kingdon moved—That a vote of thanks be passed to Mr J Ii Griffiths for his services as auditor, aud that he be asked to again act;. The motion was seconded by Mr flartnett and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding was carried by acclamation,