PROVINCIAL FIRE BRIGADES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21483, 27 May 1935, Page 5

PROVINCIAL FIRE BRIGADES

MEETING OF CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION . CREDIT BALANCE SHOWN

The twentieth annual general meeting of the Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigades' Association was held in the Sumner Borough Council Chambers on Saturday evening. The president. Fireman J. Riach (Waimate), presided over tin attendance of 30 members. The official delegates present were: Ashburton, Fireman G. Hefford; Christchurch, Foreman G. Barnes; Geraldine, Superintent G. Knight; Leeston, Superintendent J. Ramsay; New Brighton, Fireman J. S. Gott;.Temuka, Lieutenant D Cain; Waimate, Foreman J. Riach;' Rangiora, Superintent C. W. Tyler; Kaiapoi, Driver A. Bryden; Sumner, W. Wainwright. Also present were former presidents J. Carter (Sumner), A. H. Tyler (Kumara). W. Stevens (Christchurch Railway), W. 11. Stokes, and W. Sherwood (New Brighton). The Mayor of Sumner (Mr I. burgh) welcomed the delegates to Sumner. The purely voluntary work of the fire brigades was of the greatest value to New Zealand, and that the work was done so well and with so little fuss spoke well for the brigades throughout the country. The association was 19 years old and he was proud to acknowledge the fact that in that time Sumner had had three presidents. lie referred to the fine record of a former superintendent, Mr J. Carter, of Sumner, one of the founders of the association. He wished the conference every success. The president, Mr J. Riach, thanked Mr Newburgh for his warm welcome, and reminded members that Sumner had presented the championship shield which was competed for annually. The Mayor then withdrew from the meeting.

The president, in his address, welcomed the delegates, .and expressed his treasure at seeing so many firemen present. It had not been possible to hold a demonstration during the year. Every endeavour should be made to get the brigades not represented on the association to become members.

Since the last meeting, Messrs Tyler and Blake had lost their wives, and Superintendent Barnard had died. He asked the delegates to stand in silence as a mark of respect. He was glad to welcome to the conference representatives from the Kaiapoi and the Leeston brigades. The senior vice-president and secretary, Mr J. H, O'Neill (Sumner), presented the annual report and balance-sheet. The report stated that it was not possible to make arrangements to hold the usual biennial demonstration. Advice had been received from the United Fire Brigades' Association that a subsidy towards demonstration expenses was available, and would be granted when application was made. There were at present 11 brigades affiliated to the association. The bal-ance-sheet showed a credit of £l2 7s 4d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

A letter was received from Superintendent C. C. Warner expressing appreciation at having been elected a lifo member of the association.

The Akaroa brigade advised that owing to financial difficulties, it would be compelled to resign from the association. The resignation was accepted with regret.

An invitation from Superintendent C. C. Warner to hold the next annual meeting at Christchurch was accepted. Congratulations were offered to Mr C. W. Tyler, who was recently elected Deputy-Mayor of Rangiora. Mr Ramsay (Leeston) asked whether it would be possible to arrange a demonstration of dry events for small