FIRE BRIGADE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 2760, 30 June 1894, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE.

The annual meeting of tbe Hawera Volunteer Fire Brigade was held on Thursday evening, Captain McNiven in the chair- x ( The Hon. Seoretary, Mr O.H. Evane, 1 1 read the annual report, as follows : — j " Gentlemen;— lt is with great pleasure I submit my first, and the twelfth annual report of the Hawera Volunteer Fire Brigade. We bave bad a somewhat easy year in the matter of fires, but nevertheless, have been far from inactive, as we have held thirty- two meetings and seven wet practices, with an average attendance of 15. Tbe discipline of the members has been all that coald be desired, although there have been little differences to contend with, as is the case in almost all volunteer institutions. Tbe year began with a membership of 18, during which we enrolled six new mem* bers, and lost six, thus leaving us at the present with tbe same number on the roll as we started with. Daring the year the Borough Council bave added to tbe plant SOft of suotion and 300 ft of hose for tbe old engine ; and have also erected a stand for drying tbe hose, which was greatly needed. We have held a social and sporte, both of which increased the fonds of tbe brigade considerably, and the tbankß of tbe brigade are doe to all those who so kindly assisted to make the affairs successful. The " calls oat " have been comparatively few, viz., July 19, 1893, N. Johnston's bottling shed (total destruction) ; January 27, 1894, J. Kennedy's washbouße (total destruction). A fire occurred in Mr J. Davidson's store on Angust26, 1893, but tbe services of tbe brigade were not called into requisition. During the year we sent a team ta, compete at the demonstration, held at Napier, and, although competing against the best teams in the colony, our team fairly. held their own, having won the Ladder Besoue event, and fourth in the Hose, Beel and Ladder, an event entirely new to them, and we feel justly proud of their 1 per- ; formances. Fireman B. O. Robbies represented our brigade at the annual conference, held at Napier, and was for' tbe third time elected Vice-President of) tbe United Fire Brigades' Association; being a representative of such a small brigade as ours, we feel all the prouder of his position. It is with pleasure I refer to the fact that the Fire Brigades' Bill will come before Parliament this session, Mr Firani, of Palmerston, undertaking to pilot 'the bill through. It is my bincere wißh that tbe measure may become law. We have 18 honorary members on the roll, which is very gratifying, aß.it is encouraging to working members to see the townspeople lending a helping hand (financially) to so deserving an institution. Daring the year three long-service medals have been procured for members — Captain MoNiven, Lieat. Wileon, and Secretary 0. Evans — and I trust- that as each fire* man is entitled to a medal the brigade will present them. It is with great regret I refer to the intended resignation of our Lieut, and Treasurer Wilson, bat I am pleased to state be intends to continue a member. He has filled both these offices for a number of years with credit both to himself and the brigade, and I am sure all members will join with me in expressing our regret at bis retirement from office. The plant is in splendid repair, being in the hands of a practical caretaker — Fireman Saunders. Taking everything into consideration we have reason to be pleased with our year's work ; and I trust that the coming year will be as successful as the one just closed.— l am, &0., Chas. H. Evans, Hon. Sec. Hawera V.F.8." The Treasurer read tbe balance-sheet, whioh showed the balance in hand to be | £34 14s lid, out of which tbe proceeds from the sports (£24 6s 3d) was for the purchase of a new reel. Fireman Bobbins moved the adoption of tbe report and balance-sheet, and. after complimenting the hoo. seoretary, expressed a hope that the brigade would not loee the benefit of tbe experience and knowledge of tbe treasurer, and that Mr Wilson would not persist in retiring from the offices he had held. Branohman Whiting seconded. Agreed to. Fireman William Evans moved the reelection of Mr MoNiven as captain, aud Fireman E. Bartlett seconded it. Agreed to. Fireman Foden moved, and Fireman Bartlett seconded, that Mr Wilson be reelected lieutenant; and having withdrawn his objection he was re-eleot6d. A. Cofley was re-elected first foreman ; and F. Saunders eleoted second foreman. Branchman Whiting was sre-eleoted ; and Mr Bartlett was eleoted second branchman. On the motion of Messrs Bobbins and McGeogh, Mr C. H. Evans was re-elected secretary ; and on the motion of Fireman Arthur and Branohman Bartlett Fireman Foden was elected treasurer. .' 3 Firemen Bobinson, Shore, and McGeogh 3 were elected a standing committee. I I The Mayor then presented tbe prizes 3 won at tbe reoent competition, and three I long service medals. He was pleased to present them, and hoped that the sports meeting successfully held lately was tbe forerunner of many others to come. 1 The prizes were distributed as follow : — ■ «< Captain W. MoNiven, 9 years' service ; 1 Lieut. Wilson, 6 years ,' Seoretary C.Evans, 3 9 years. Fivemeu Event,. Foreman Coftey, . Firemen Bartlett, Bobinson, Shaw, and j McGeogh ; Ladder Besoue Event, Lieut. Wilson and Foreman Coffey ; Three-men Event, Captain MoNiven, Firemen. Bartlett and J. Whiting ; One-man Manual, Lieut. Wilson, and Fireman Saunders ; Firemen's Bace, Branchman F. Whiting 1, and Lieut. Wilßon 2 j Captain McNiven returned thanks for ; his re-election, and promised to continue I to do bis best in the interest of tbe I brigade. Mr Bobbins proposed a vote of thanks ) to the retiring officers, and complimented them on their attention to duty, and, I being backed up by the members, the I brigade was a good one. He expressed the bopa that tbe Fire Brigades Bill ) would pass this year. Also, be coupled I the name of the mayor with tbe vote ; , and, alluding to a remark from his , Worship that he would always be happy ' to assist, said the beat wav in wbioh be i could do that would be to help on a water , enpply for the borough. The brigade were also pleased with tbe assistance from tbe townspeople received daring tbe year. j The Borough Council and the honorary - members were also included in the vote, Branchman Whiting seconded. Agreed to. Mr SuUon, acknowledging the vote, and speaking as a councillor, said the council was a I way 8 pleased to assist. Tbe Mayor, in replying, said he agreed with the Fire Brigades Bill, which proposed r to make a third - of. the cost of brigades- 'a charge on the Government, a third on insurance companies, and a third on the local bodies. He alluded with satisfaction to the position the brigade bad taken at the biennial demonstration ; and, as to the water supply question, said he hooed. that next summer the proposal for a water supply would be carried, espep^ljy if 'the Legislature altered the Act 'bo that the votes of the absentees should pot count. The brigade no doubt w.ould aeeiat in that object. (Applause. 1 Treasurer .Wilson said it was true that ] the, tradespeople, did support the brigade, but many people did not, and he hoped that-lba bill .would be passed, as it would pub _ matters on< a ;■ better footing. ■On., the .motion of Firemen ' Bobbins and Bartlett, the secretary was instructed to write to, MeßsrS;G.. .Hutchison andF. McGuire, M.H.R.'s, -asking them to give tbe FfreTßrigades' BiH'their support.' The meeting 'adj^urnea. 1 ■tv'V J —— - — jr-. ' ' 'J.'J-VK"ft The &UN,BAKfK&i'OWDER eclipses all~otherg,,.V--'.- I