Hastings Fire Brigade.

Hastings Standard, Issue 496, 8 December 1897, Page 3

Hastings Fire Brigade.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Hastings Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the .station last evening, Captain Brausch presiding. , An account for £3 4s, for twelve months' rates, was passed for payment. The correspondence included a budget from Merry weather and Co., (London) ; from Mr J. G. Gilberd (Secretary United Fire Brigades Association), from the Masterton Brigade, the Napier Brigade, and a report of the recent social. It was resolved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded the ladies who managed the recent social, which resulted in the handsome addition of £ls lis Id to the funds. Messenger P. George was elected a fireman, and Sydney George was elected a messenger. The following were elected a committee to work up an afternoon's sports at Stortford Lodge about the third Wednesday in January : Captain Brausch, Lieutenant A. A. George, Engineer Liversey, Branchmen Symonds and Poppelwell, Firemen Graham and R. Catherall, with power to add to their number. With thj exception of Foreman of the manual, which will be decided next month, the whole of the officers were re-elected.

The section of the brigade working at the rear of the building on fire last night were inside within three minutes of the time the engine started working. After the Brigade had left the fire in Hastings this morning, Firemen Chapman and Williams were told oft' to watch the building, and they remained in the neighbourhood until seven o'clock. Captain Brausch has held the office of chief of the Brigade for seven years. Lieut. A. A. George has held office as second in command, and also secretary of the Fire Brigade for ten years. He is the only member who was present at the initiatory meeting, and he has remained in it ever since. Foremen Humphrey and Keith and Treasurer Poppelwell have been reelected continuously to those offices in the Brigade for seven years. The Fire Brigade will have been established twelve year 3 on tbe 4th. of February, 1898. People used to say that if a fire broke out in the Railway block the Brigade would never put it out. Last night was the sixth occasion on which they have proved the falsity of such a prediction. Engine-keeper John Williams has given £1 towards the expenses of the team for Auckland. Mr A. E. Green, who brought a letter of introduction from the Masterton Brigade, has been offered all the privileges of membership of the local Brigade while he remains in Hastings. The pole of the Fire Police waggon " busted " last night, while a load of wet hose was being returned to the station. Messenger Percy George, who was elecSed a fireman last night, has held the former position for seven years. The following are the members chosen to form the Auckland team : Captain Brausch. Foremen Hmr.phroy and Anderson, Branehmen Symonds &nd Catherall, and For c mau Henry (sixth mao),