FIRE BRIGADES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17431, 17 April 1922, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADES.

j CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING. , The eighth annual meeting of the Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigades' Association was held on Saturday night at tlhe Christchurch Headquarters Fire' Station. The president, Captain R. B. Hean (Addinsjton Railway), was in the chair, supported by Past-president Superintendent C. W. Sherwood (New Brighton) ; vice-presidents, Superintendent Tyler (Rangiora), Lieutenant Watbin (Lvttelton); secretary, Lieutenant Nicholls (Ashburton); brigades' representatives, Foreman Cooke (Christchurch Railway), Foreman C. D. Boyd (Addington Railway}; and Secretary Car-on (Lyttehon). The following delegates were present:—Ashburtan, Fireman H. Heffnrd: Akaroa. Branchman I). Langrope; Temuka, Secretary Bates; Sumner, Secretary C. Lindrosj Rangiora., Deputy-Superintendent Hill: Addington Railway, Secretary A. W. McKay; Lyttelton, Foreman Fenton; Christcliurrih Railway, Secretary W. R. Stephens; New Brighton, DeputySuperintendent Nuttall; Christchurch City, Deputy-Superintendent C. Blake. Delegates Welcomes. The chf irman, in welcoming the delegates, said the executive had no recommendation in respect to two matters left over from last annual meeting: The questions of service honours, and the appointment jof tihree competition men to consider fine points in competition work. Both matters had been f il'y considered, but the executive was unab'e to come to any agreement in respect of the last-mentioned matter, and, as regards the first, they were of opinion that, a3 far as the Canterbury Association was concerned, they had no recommendation to make. As to Monday's demonstration, he would have liked to have seen a few more entries, but, after considering the matter carefully, he felt tlhat the reason was the ah. enco of h:ghprressure water supplies in some localities. In future demonstrations _he thought they should be run on linos similar to those on which the Tapanui demonstration was run some years ago, when every event was dry. This would give brigades in localities where there was no high-pressure water supply a cihanco to corirpete. Referring to the balance-sheet, he said that, with tho exception of one brigade (which was two years in arrears) all the brigades had paid their subscriptions. He suggested that instead of striking the brigade in arrears off the roll, it should written to and asked if there was any dhahoe of the arrears being paid, and of the brigade remaining a member of tho Association. There was a possibility of the Timaru Railway Brigade becoming a member. The Government subsidy, of £SO had been received and paid over to the Demonstration Committee. He welcomed, as visitors, Past-presidenti ExSuperintendent O'Mailey, Mr Ft E. Talbot ; secretary of the Demonstration Committee, and Mr A. PeveriU, a member of the committee. Tho Government Subsidy. The secretary of the United Fire Brigades' Association, in forwarding the Government subsidy, set out the conditions attached to its payment. The _ opinion was expressed tthat the conditions were being made rather tic, with tho intention, probably, of discouraging application being made for it. They were also described as ridiculous. On the motion of Deputy-Foreman Oooko, it was resolved: "That this matter be left in the hands of the incoming executive to deal with." On the motion of Secretary Nicholls, seconded by Secretary Carson, it was decided: "That tfce £SO subsidy be handed to the committee holding the demonstration." Balance-Sheet. The balance-sheet was read as foW lows:—■

On the motion of Superintendent Sherwood, seconded by Foreman Fenton, the balance-sheet and auditor's report were adopted. The Mayor's Welcome. The Mayor of Christchurch attended and addressed the meeting in weicoraing the delegates. He said that he looked upon hre brigadesmen as lighters all the time. Tney never knew what damage would happen to them; like the late Sir Koss Smith, the aviator, firemen were heedless of themselves. Members of iire brigades pos- ; sensed the respect of all citizens, luere were many tilings that brigades' and their members still wanted. 'Jihey required better fire-fighting machinery, better telescope ladders, better protection for hrenien, and, most important, better water supplies. Chris,tchurcn did not possess the water supply thai it should. If anything Happened to the main from the high pressure reservoir while a nor'-wester was blowing, the city would go, as they could not stop it. He described as ridiculous, the practice of brigades not going beyond the boundaries of their districts as was the case of the hre at the Cafe, North Beach, and the ±tre at Mr Walter Hill's big establishment at Woolston. His personal opinion was that suburban districts should be compelled by statute law to pay their share of tlie fire-lighting system of the city and have the right to call on the brigade. He had not stressed these mattery in the City Council because a Fire Board such as they possessed was supposed to see that the best was done. There was nothing to be said about the personnel of the brigades; it had been proved throughout New Zealand that the brigades could do things. The only question was whether they were recompensed commensurately for what they did, and whether those who stood in the position of their employers insured them sufficiently so that in the event of anything happening to a, member of a brigade his dependants would be well looked after. The city brigade was as efficient as it was possible for it to be: if more efficiency was required the brigade must be provided with more efficient machinery. Ho desired to specially compliment those members of brigades who were efficient in ambulance work. The chairman conveyed the thanks of the meeting' to JJr. Thacker for Iris remarks. Election of Officers. J

Officers were elected jas follows: President, Superintendent Tyler (Rangiora) - } vice-presidents, Lieutenant Walkhn (Lyttelton), and Foreman Boyd (Addington Railway); secretary, Lieutenant F. S. Ivicholls (Ashburton) ; treasurer, Superintendent Barber (Ashburton) ; brigades' representatives, secretary Stephens (Cliristch'urch Railway), Lieutenant Willetts (Waimate), Branchman J. S. Hines (Sumner) and Deputy-Superintendent Nuttall (New Brighton); auditor, Mr A. McClure, of •Aahburton. Other Business. The chairman read the following telegram from Past President Cooper, of U.F.8.A., Oamaru:—"Hearty good wishes for successful conference- and demonstration." ■ On the motion of Superintendent Ty(Continued at foot of nest column.)

ler seconded by Lieutenant Walkiin, a vote of thanks was curded to the Social Committee of the Cnnstchurca City Brigade lor the cup presented to the Association. The chairman then installed the new President (Superintendent lyier) who, after returning thanks tor his election, installed the other, new officers Foreman Boyd, in returning thanks fnr his election, remarked tnat the T7 FB A hy the relictions imposed in' connexion with the subsidy wa-s trying to kill them. OeDuty-Supeiintendent •vuttall, referring to the same matter, said that It* V. F B.A. was attempting to smash them and it was up to them "to get out before they were squashed. ' Captain Hean was elected » life member and was accoraed a vote of thinks for his pa,t services. lieutenant tfalKlin extended an m•S on behalf ol the Lyttelton £** f„ to the Association to hold its Annual meeting at Lyttelton and thatnext vear would be the Lytteltnßlade's jubilee year £ hivitation was accepted.

BECEIPTS. £ o. d. Balance last audit ,.., 18 2 4 Brigades' subscriptions ,.. ... 13 6 0 Interest .... >.. „. ,.. 0 12 e £»2 9 10 EXPENDITURE. £ b. d. Higgling and Co., printing 10 0 Secretory's bonus .., 6 5 0 Secretary'9 expenses ». „. 10 0 Insurance of shield »> .» 0 10 0 Jones and Sons .. ,.. .. 2 IS 0 Petty oash .. 0 18 9 Cr. balance, Ashburtos Building' Society, January Slat, 1922 .. 21 8 1 £32 9 10