FIRE FIGHTERS’ WORK

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 9 March 1928, Page 5

FIRE FIGHTERS’ WORK

Taranaki association THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. ASSEMBLY AT HAWERA. Fire fighters from various parts of the province assembled at the Hawera station last evening at the sixteenth annual conference of the Taranaki District United Fire Brigades’ Association. The retiring president (Superintendent A. Morrison, Hawera) occupied the chair. Other members of the retiring executive in attendance were: Superintendent E. Crossman (Inglewood), junior vice president; Superintendent G. White (Manaia), past president; Secretary P. T. Aitkeu (Stratford), past president; Superintendent H. A. Nuttall (Eltham), past president, retiring treasurer; and Secretary A. M. Burrows (Eltham), association secretary. An apology for absence was 'received from Custodian F. Doughty (New Plymouth), senior vicepresident. Other delegates in attendance were as follow: Superintendent A. Melville (Kaponga), past president; Captain C. H. Carey (Patea), past president); Secretary W. Vincent (Manaia), Second Foreman V. Philpott (Eltham), DeputySuperintendent P. Grace (Hawera), De-puty-Superintendent L. Andrews (Waitara), Deputy-Superintendent H. H. Ford (New Plymouth). A number of visitors included Mr E. Thomas, of the Eltham Fire Board.

Iu opening the conference, the president welcomed the delegates and other I visitors and expressed the hope that the I opportunity of meeting and discussing questions affecting the affairs of the association and the work throughout the district would prove helpful to all brigades. CITIZENS’ WELCOME. Prior to the commencement of business a welcome on behalf of the citizens of Hawera was extended by the Mayor (Mr E. A. Pacey). throughout the Dominion take very great and appreciative interest iu the activities of the many fire fighting units,” said Mr Pacey. “In Hawera we are very proud of the high standard -of efficiency and the distinction gained by our brigade, though we recognise there are many other good brigades and that the various local bodies, take an equal pride in the men. who afford protection from fire. ‘ ‘ There is no doubt that, but for the services Tendered, the community would often be in a very parlous state. In Hawera we have had many examples of the manner in which a smartly working brigade can stem outbreaks of fire, and we know other localities have similar experiences. lam sure that the deliberations of your conference to-night will rebound to the benefit of brigades of the Dominion generally and your own district in particular. ’ ’ WILLING SERVICE Endorsement ol the Mayor’s welcome greetings was given on behalf of the Hawera Fire Board by its chairman (Mr L. A. Bone). “The yearly loss throughout the country as the result of fires is a very serious problem and in affording protection, brigades give one of the greatest of public services. Firemen take many risks and a particularly appealing feature of the service is the willing manner in which it is rendered,” said Mr Bone. Conferences were a very necessary part of their activities and he felt sure the gatherings resulted in much good io the larger a s well as the smaller brigades. Tie assured the conference that fire boards were anxious to assist brigades, in every way possible and by providing equipment, which would help in maintaining efficiency. It was to be regretted that people were not more careful in guarding against fire. 1 f proper caution was taken with regard to matches and inflammable articles and the practice of disconnecting electric circuits and gas supplies at the main when the services were not in use were adopted losses through fire would bo greatly minimised. Thanks to the two speakers for their attendance and appreciation of the good wishes extended were voiced by the president on behialf of the conference. EXECUTIVE’S REPORT. In presenting its report, the executive extended congratulations to the association on its continued prosperity. “The. finances of the association are in a very flourishing condition, the amount .of assets over liabilities being £3>3 4s 3d,” continued the. report. “The executive has not met during the year, as there ha s not been any business of importance to transact. “Gold stars for 25 years’ service have been presented to Superintendent H. A. Nuttal, of Eltham, and to Foreman H. Hurley, of Hawera. The association extends congratulations to the recipients on their long ,aud faithful service to the citizens of their respective towns. “The strength of the association at present is nine affiliated brigades, namely. New Plymouth, Inglewood, Waitara, Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, Kaponga, Maria ia and (Patea. Invitations will be received this evening for conference and demonstration for 1929. SHIELD CONTENDERS. “The demonstration and conference last year was held at Stratford. The executive ha's much pleasure in congratulating the Stratford Brigade on the manner in which the demonstration was conducted and also congrati - latos the teams of the various brigades on the fine performances in the various events. The shield was retained by the Hawera Brigade with 931 points. Stratford being a good second with SO points. Points scored by other brigades were: Eltham 514, Patea 474, Manaia 21, Inglewood 20, Waitara 14.

“The secretaries of the various brigades are to be congratulated upon being so prompt wi'tlj. the payment of their annual subscriptions. This consideration on their part is very pleasing to the secretary and treasurer. In conclusion we. desire to extend to the officers and members of the various brigades our sincere thanks for their kindly help during the past year and we trust that the efforts of the executive over this period have met with your approval. ’ ’ The adoption .of the report was moved by .Superintendent A. Melville. Deputy-Superintendent Andrews seconded and the motion was adopted. “THE BEST BALANCE-SHEET. The balanee-shi3et showed that, a credit balance of £27 14s 6d had been brought forward 1 from the .previous year. Subsidy received from the U.E.B.A. amounted to £35 and .subscriptions to £ll 5s 6d, the total receipts being £74. The principal item of expenditure was £35 in respect of the Stratford demonstration. Sundries totalled

£5 15s 9d. leaving a credit- balance of £33 4,s 3d. “This is the best balance the association has ever had,” said the treasurer (Superintendent Nutt alii when the balance-sheet was read. “A big factor in securing such a credit- was the action of so many officers and members in meeting their own expenses instead of charging them to the association.” " In moving the adoption of the bal-ance-sheet, the nresident pointed .out that Superintendent Nuttall . had cap ried out the treasurer’s duties gratuitiously for many years. _ *« . The motion was sieconded by Superintendent Melville and wa® carried 1 without further comment. GILBERD MEMORIAL. On behalf of the Patea Brigade, Cap- ■ tain Carey moved the following remit: i That at all future domonstra- ; tionis of the iT.D.U.F.B.A., the one - man Gi’.berd ‘Memorial event be placed on the programme, ! In presenting the remit, Captain ■ Carey gave a reminder that- the Gilberdi Memorial was the award for the onei man championship of the Dominion, and . bv conducting such a competition, the association should have a fair _ opportunity of producing the champion. The remit was seconded by Superintendent Melville. “All associations should have the event on their programmes,” said the president in supporting the remit.. . . Secretary Vincent gave the opinion that the matter was already covered bv the U.F-B.A. Superintendent Nuttall, Deputy-Su--rru-intendent Ford and Secretary Aitken spoke in favour of the adoption of the competition, the last-named expressing regret that the committee of the Stratford demonstration had bepn unable to include it. The remit was adopted unanimously. VISITING COMPETITORS. Captain Carey also moved: That at all future demonstrations of the T.D.U.F.B.A. only brigades affiliated with the association be i allowed to compete. Captain Carey explained that the object of the remit was to confine competition to the association and guard against “not hunting” by expert teams which might have the opportunity to trawl. Superintendent Nuttall seconded. The remit was opposed by the president, who wished to encourage competition from outside brigade® with a view to stimuating interest, and oilfcoi in view of the possibility of ultimately extending the area of the association. The president’s remarks were endorsed. by Superintendent Cross-man. Secretary Aitken thought that if outside teams were allowed to compete, they should be confined to certain brigades, negotiations concerning ■ the affiliation of which had previously been made, but that though such might be allowed to take away the prize money, they should not be eligible for the shield competitionDuring further discussion, Superin- * ten-dent- Melvile -gave the opinion that there appeared but little prospect, of securing the application .of the brigades referred to by Secretary Ait-ken and Deputy Superintendent Ford said that, though outside brigades -should be permitted to take part in competitions, they should not be allowed to take the Taranaki shield. The remit was withdrawn. . On behalf of the Manaia brigade secretary Vincent moved : That in future a copy of the audited balance-sheet of demonstrations be forwarded to all affiliated brigades. Deputy-superintendent Ford seconded: The president- said that when a bal-ance-sheet was prepared it had to come to the executive, and there should be nothing to prevent the required number being prepared for distribution. -' The remit was adopted. On the motion of Captain Carey, seconded by second-foreman Philpott, it was decided to defer consideration of the 1929 conference and demonstration until it was known whether the U.F.B.A. demonstration was to be held this \ear A proposal was brought forward on behalf ot the Stratford brigade that at iutare demonstrations the benzine tin disc instead of the shutter disc be used. The motion was seconded by Superintendent Nuttall, who, in reply to the president’s reminder that. the tin disc had been rejected by the U.F.8.A., said that as in his opinion the tin disc was the better appliance, the association should not be prevented from using it. Superintendent Melville and Captain Carej’ agreed with the president that the association should not adopt an appliance which had been rejected by the parent body. The motion was lost on the voices, only the proposer and seconder voting in its favour. ■ Following a brief discussion concerning methods of starting and timing during competitions it was decided, on the motion’ of Superintendent Crossman, seconded by Superintendent Mel-, vilie, to recommend the next demonstration committee to endeavour to introduce improvements. - - ■ Tribute to the manner in which the New Plymouth and Inglewood members had entertained the delegates to the recent U.F.B.A. conference was voiced by Captain Carey, on whose motion, seconded by the president, a vote of appreciation was placed on record. OFFICERS ELECTED. Officers were elected as follow . President. Custodian F. Doughty! (New Plymouth) ; senior vice-president, Superintendent E. Crossman (Inglewood); junior vice-president, Deputy-superin-tendent S. Murray (Eltham); secretary, Secretary A M. Burrows (Eltham) reelected ; ’ treasurer, Superintendent H. A. Nuttall (Eltham) re-elected; auditor Cap+ain Grubb (Stratford) re-elected. The installation of the newly-elected senior tice-p resident was conducted by the retiring president, who expressed congratulations on behalf of the conference. Superintendent Crossman, in the absence of the incoming president, took the chair and installed the other officers. A vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing officers, and it was recommended that. Superintendent Morrison’s. name lie engraved on the merit board.