Fire Brigade Conference

Grey River Argus, 10 March 1903, Page 3

Fire Brigade Conference

(o) (per press association.) Napier, March 9. The annual Conference of the Fire Brigade Associa'ion has opened, Mr Walcon, of Gr-ymouih, presiding. ' The n-port showed that six new brigades joined during the year. The total on the roll is now 83. The balance-sheet showed ri.cipts to have been L 1,282, including the Government subsidy of L 250, and Government vote for the exhibition L 250. The Association has a ca-h balance of L 296 and an accident fund of L 783. Aa the New Zealand United - Fire Brigades' to-day the following resolutions «ere earned : — " (1) That any Brigade being in de* fault or acting in such a manner as to be derogatory | to the welfare or interests of the Association may bo sus-» pendud by the Executive from all benefits. A brigade suspended shall have the power, by giving one in-mfch'a notice before the annual meeting, of appealing to the delegates against the Executive's decis'on." (2) That the invitation to hold the conference or conference and dem >n« stration shall be hanied in at the annual meeting. If more than one invitation hi received a vote of the brigade shall be taken and decided within two months. (3) That in the erent of any fireman being in another district than his own he be allowed to put in his practices with the brigade if that place, provided such brigade is duly registered. These attendance* to be tecorded on the roll of his own brigade. Secretary Robins (Hawera), President Walton (Gieymouth), and Lieut Baker (Go c) were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Premier during his visit, to Napier this week and to ask whether the Government would give its support to the B ig -des Bill, tlie principles of which are that the maintenance of brigades should be cast upon the local bodies, fire insurance companies, and the Government. The deputation was also instructed to bring under the notice of Mr Seddon the question of obtaining a reluctioa in the duty of fire brigade appliances. Invitati ms for the nexb Conference have been received from Palmerston North and Te Arolia. A vote of the brigades throughout he colony will be taken in the matter during tho next two months. A torchlight procession was held this evening, which was attended by over 500 firemen, the procession beiug the largest that his yet been held under the auspic( s of the Association. The precession marched through the principal streets, which were thronged witn people.