TROUBLE IN CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 403, 12 January 1909, Page 5

TROUBLE IN CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE.

. (BI TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) . Ghristchurch, January 11. v Considerable unpleasantness has occurred in connection with the refusal of the permanent Firo Brigade men to sign the new regulations drawn up by the Fire Board. This refusal was, of course, tantamount to resigning from the ■ staff, and accordingly it was arranged that fourteen new men. should fill tho vacancies. Ten out,of the succcssful applicants put in an appearance at the Lichfield Street station on Saturday (when the other men. "went out'-').; Three other outsiders who have had experience in other parts of the world were also sworn in in placoof the absentees. While the procedure of onrolling the new men .was going on something in the shape, of a demonstration ivas being caused by some of the discharged employees, who heckled tho. men who were filling their places, and made various remarks about fire brigade matters in general. In reply to 'a question by a representative of "The Press," Superintendent Smith-.stated that tho new: men' should, with training, turn out a vory . efficient lot. Several of thorn had had experience in fire brigade work, and thoy seemed to bo amenable to discipline. Tho auxiliary men, ho was pleased to state, had. practically all stuck loyally to ■ tho brigade. .