FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21729, 11 March 1936, Page 15

FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT HASTINGS SMOKING IN DANCE HALLS DISCUSSED (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) HASTINGS, March 10. Fire brigadesmen from all parts of New Zealand, representing 143 fire brigades, have been engaged at Hastings in discussing affairs concerning the United Fire Brigades' Association. The conference is t»eing presided over by Superintendent H. E. Follas, of Devonport. At the conference to-day Mr B. C. Robbins. of Tauranga, was congratulated on his appointment as a member of the Legislative Council. Mr Robbins is a past president of the association. Mr Robbins, who was pre-, sent at the meeting, assured the delegates that he would continue to do all he could for the service. Smoking in dance halls, particularly those in country districts, was discussed by the delegates when it was suggested that smoking in theatres and halls should be 'prohibited by law, and not merely by by-laws. The executive is to. make representations that the suggestion be embodied in an act. The executive is also to approach the Minister with the suggestion that the act be amended, making it compulsory for fire boards to institute superannuation funds, and that the amount payable be raised from £250 to £SOO. , It was suggested that the association take over the fire prevention campaigns which are organised from time iito time. It was eventually decided that the executive investigate the position with the xmderwariters' Association ! and the Government with a view to coming to some amicable arrangement ', whereby the campaigns would be the resDonsibility of the association. } An invitation was extended for the inext demonstration and conference of the association to- be held in Nelson. It was stated that the last demonstration cost £2OOO, and that it would be impossible for the association to hold another next year unless the GovI eminent restored the privileges enjoyed a few years ago. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted: — President, Superintendent A. Craig (Hamilton); senior vice-president, Superintendent A. J. Btennett (Nelson); junior vice-presidenst, Superintendent J. A. Chambers (Waipukurau); treasurer and secretary, Mr C. A. Osborne (Onehunga). The past president Mr J. J. Salmon (DUnedinV, presented gold service stars to the following: Captain R. Sinclair (Islington)'; Deputy-Superintendent T. O'Brien (Dannevirke), Captain J. K. McKey (Ross), Mr B. McDonagh (Westport); Fireman W. F. Keith (Hastings), T. Irvin (Mosgiel), and E. Butcher (Palmerston North).

Tlrie foUo-wing officers of the New Zealand Fire Brigades and Members' Institute were elected: —President, Superintendent W. L. Wilson (Auckland City); vice-presidents, Superintendent •H. E. Follas (Devonport), Superintendent A. Craig (Hamilton), Acting-Sup-erintendent R. K. Price (Dunedin), Superintendent C. A. Woolley (Wellington); executive council, Superintendents T. Anderson (Rotorua)» P. Deere (Greymouth), J. W. Kane (Gisborne), A. Morrison (Hawera), C. W. Tyler (Rangiora). Deputy-Superinten-dent H. J. Price (Hastings); treasurersecretary, Mr A. C. Osborne (Onehunga) ; secretary. Captain T. J. Watts; scientific committee, Superintendents C. A. Woolley, W. L. Wilson, H, 1L Follas, A. Craig, and Secretary Osborne.