FIRE-FIGHTERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1068, 6 March 1911, Page 6

FIRE-FIGHTERS.

CARNIVAL AT HOKITIKA. THE OPENING DAY. (By TolesraDh — Press Association.! Hokitika, March 5. The annual fire brigades' competitions were commenced hero yesterday when splendid weather prevailed. 01' the eleven competitions to bo held two were (jot off, viz., the Two-men Coupling (dry), and the One-man Manual events. The high-pressure borough water supply was very favourably commented upon by the competitors wlio.se general verdict was that it was admirably suited for competition work. Sixty teams competed in tho Coupling, and twenty-four in the. Manual events, Results:—

Dry Coupling.—Masterlon, liSscc, 1; Duncdin South (inclusive of penalty of 2sec), and Hokitika (lsec. penalty) tied lor second place, with times of 3'.) 2-sscc. Tho lie is to be run off on Monday. Hamilton were placed fourth, their time being 10 sec (inclusive of 3scc. penalty). Hastings were fifth, <10 3-ssec. (including 3sec: penalty); Hillside Railway, sixtn, 414-bsec. (including 2sec penalty). Timaru (42 1-5 sec.) tied for seventh place with Auckland Eailway (lsec. penally). Other competitors were:—Carterton, Msec; Napier, 43 2-ssec; Wanganui, 43 3-sscc.; Patea, 43 4-ssec; Dunedin South, 4lsec; Damievirke, 45sec; Newmarket, 4G3-ssec; Mosgiel, 47 2-ssec. Tho standard was reduced from time to time to as low as 42? cc, and a number of the teams were "blown out." Consequently their limes were not recorded.

One-man Manual.—Timaru, 37 1-Ssec, 1; Hokitika, 40soc, 2; Dunedin City, 40 3-ssec, 3; Gcraldino, 41scc, (including 3 sec. penalty) 4; Timaru Railway and Mastorton 42 2-sscc, dead heat, 5. Other competitors were:—Greymouth, 43soc (lsec. penalty); Hastings, 412-ssec; Napier, 45 l-ssec. (osec. penalty); Greytown, 45 2-5 sec; Carterton, 40sec. (lsec. penalty); Lower Hutt, J8 2-ssec; Pntca, 51 l-ssec (3sec. penalty). The standard being reduced from time to time. The following teams were "blown out".:—To Kuiti, Kaiapoi, Invercargill, Kumara, Wavcrley, Dannevirke. Hastings Police, Wanganui, and Spit teams. The following aro tho first six teams out of the twenty-fivo who have so far competed in the Reel and Ladder (wot) Event:—Timaru, 59 3-ascc; Invercargill, Gl 4-ssec.; Wanganui, G3 2-ssec (lsec penalty); Dunedin City, GG2-ssoc; Naseby, G7 4-ssec.; Roslyn, G8 2-ssec (lsec. penalty). The Cavei'sham, Stratford, Recfton, Napier, and Hokitika teams were disqualified. The last-mentioned have entered a protest. THE ACCIDENT ASSOCIATION. (By Tolenraph.-Pross association.! Hokitika, March 5. The nineteenth annual meeting of tho United Fire Brigade Accident Association was held hero last night. Captain Spriggins (Wanganui) presided. The balance-sheet and report were adopted. The report stated that, in spite of numerous accident claims made and paid during the past year, a satisfactory credit balance had accrued. To some extent this was to be attributed to the reduced claim's from tho larger brigades. Reference was also made to the neglect shown by tho brigades in regard to registering new members. Four brigades had joined the society which now had a total membership of eighty-eight brigades, making a'grand'total membership of 1581 —an increase of G2 since last meeting. The amount of the credit of the accident fund of the society amounted to ,£IGG2 7s. sd. The funds of tho society were well invested, .£1530 being loaned on Government, borough, and harbour board debentures, bearing interest at an average of ■i\ ,per cent. The usual allowance of .£SO was voted in connection with the death of a deceased fireman.

It was resolved that any officer, having already filled the position of president, ,was'-.no.t eligible for,re-election. The election 'of officer's resulted as follows:—President, Captain Hyn;pn (Westport); vicepresidents. Superintendent Bellrihger (New Plymouth), and Cantain Ralston (Inglewood); secretary. T. J. Watts (Newmarket); treasurer. S. Cantlcbury (Reefton); auditor. P. R. Fraser (Auckland). Votes of thanks were recorded to the outgoing officers, Mr. Gilberd beinsr especially sinsled out in the references made by speakers. The conference was then declared closed.