N.Z. FIRE BRIGADES’ NEXT CONFERENCE AT REEFTON

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1949, Page 4

N.Z. FIRE BRIGADES’ NEXT CONFERENCE AT REEFTON

P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 16 Opposition to the appointment of three paid Commissioners to control the Dominion’s fire service, proposed by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Bailantyne’s fire, was expressed in a motion passed at the conierence of the United Fire Brigades’ Association at Hawera to-day. The association approved of a continuation of th<_ existing system of local control, but with a central body for co-ordinating training, efficiency, and general administration.

The conference approved of recommendations for the adoption of bylaws covering the elimination of inherent fire hazards in existing buildings made by the Royal Commission on Baliantyne’s tire. If this section of the report was adopted, said the Dominion Inspector of Fire Brigades, Mr R. Girling Butcher, most ot the serious fire hazards in buildings would be eliminated.

Next year’s annual conference will be held at Reefton. The conference will be held at Christchurch in 1951, the city’s centennial year. The following officers were elected to the executive:-—

President, Superintendent C. Coxall, of Reeiton. Vice-presidents, Superintendent A. Stewart, Tauranga (senior), Superintendent N. G. Buick, Palmerston North (junior). Secretary: Captain T. J. Watts (Newmarket). Treasurer: Secretary C. A Osborne (Onehunga). Auditor, Mr D. F. Smith (Auckland). .