THE NEW FIRE BRIGADE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9110, 22 May 1895, Page 6

THE NEW FIRE BRIGADE.

THE REGULATIONS.

The Fire Brigade Committee of the City Council has been empowered to give the present members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade notice that their services will terminate at the end of June. The members, however, are eligible to apply for reengagement under the new organisation, the rules for which were adopted on Monday night. The new Brigade will be composed of paid members, who generally will not be boarded, as this has *o far been found impracticable, though the Committee, by resolution of the Council, may introduce the boarding system, should it at any time be considered practicable to do so. The paid Brigade is to have a maximum strength of thirty members, exclusive of drivers. It will be composed of a superintendent, 4 foremen, 2 engineers, 2 assistant engineers, 2 caretakers and 19 firemen. The Superintendent, engineers, assistant engineers and caretakers will be appointed by the Council; the other members by the Superintendent, who has sole command, must be present at all tires and alarms, and must report quarterly to the Council respecting fires, alarms, condition of plant, &c. Foremen are to receive £20 and tiremen £16 per year. The engineers reside at their respective stations, where they are required to be between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. In addition to attending the engines at turns, out, they have to keep them in order and have them constantly in readiness for work. One engineer may also be caretaker. Men wearing their equipments off duty or destroying them are liable to fine or dismissal. Nothing is to be done at fires without orders from the officer in charge. No spirituous liquors are to be taken without theeanction of the Superintendent; every appeararice of intoxication will be rigidly marked, and a man discovered to be intoxicated will be forthwith dismissed. Rules are provided for fines for misconduct, &c, the fines to go to the sick fond of the Brigade, and members are enjoined to always behave in such an orderly manner faat their conduct will command the rerpecb of all. Each member is to be provided with a uniform as often as is necesaary. There are a number of minor rules relating to the internal management of the new Brigade, whose performances will no doubt be watched with interest by all concerned, the Council, the public, the Insurance Companies, and those whose property maybe in danger.