FIRE BRIGADES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1929, Page 8

FIRE BRIGADES

ANNUAL COAST CONFLUENCE. The annual meeting of the West Coast Fire Brigades’ Association was held at Otira on Friday evening last. President Coxall (Reefton) was in the chair, and delegates present were: Deputy Superintendent A. White and Secretary Walton (Greymouth), Captain Gilmour and Lieutenant SkeatSs (Cohden) Captain McFarlane and Lieutenant McEnnney (Kumara), Fire man Hickford (Westport, Fireman Williams (Hokitika), and Ross was represented by Captain McFarlane, and Denniston by Fireman Hickford.

The President, Captain Cox wall welcomed all for the assistance given during the past year, and read the annual report, which was considered very satisfactory. The President then asked all to stand in silence out of respect to two departed members, Superintendent Clark and Foreman J. Grogan, of the Greymouth Fire Brigade Flo stressed the loss to tire Association of two such valued members. The minutes of the last annual meeting and the balance sheet were read and duly confirmed : the balance sheet showing a credit of £ls 5s Pd at the end of the year, since increased by £35 as the result of a donation by the United Fire Brigades’ Association.

The annual report was as follows.'—

Your Executive, in presenting their annual report, are pleased to state that ,everything is going satisfactorily. The Demonstrations held in Reefton last veer was a great success, some very fast times being recorded, while the voungest Brigade in our Association. Otira. won the Russell Aggregate Shield i F or the second time. Arrangements having been made between the Otira and Kumara Brigades, the former took over the running of the Demonstration this year. By a request of the Otira Brigade to have a more modern, up to date event in place of the two men coupling (Rose Cup) your Executive, after due consideration, acceded to the request, which we trust will meet with your aproval. After numerous applications, , the Executive of the TJ.F.BA.. has granted to vour Association a subsidv of £35. which we are quite sure will be greatly appreci•>t'>d. Tt is with dee]) regret that death has taken from our ranks two Gold Star members of 40 years’ service, Superintendent Clarke and Fireman Grogan, both being a great loss to the fire service of our Association, and who we can ill .afford to lose.—For the Executive, C. Coxall (President), J. G. Walton (Secretary.)

It was moved and seconded as a recommendation to the incoming Committee that next years’ Demonstration be held late in October or early in November in future.—Carried.

The Executive had granted £lO to Otira Brieade (vide application) to carry on the Demonstration. It was moved by Deputy Supt. White (Grey) and seconded by Capt. McFarlane (Kumara that the action olf the Executive he en dorsed.—C’a rried. The Ross Fire Brigade asked that the next Demonstration be held at Ross, and on the motion of Captain McFarlann-, seconded .by Fireman; Williams, the request was unanimously granted.

Officers elected for the l ensuing 12 months were : —President Capt Gilmour (Cohden); Vice-Presidents, Foreman Williams (Hokitika), Lieut. McEnaney (Kumara), Lieut Cohen (Otira); Secretary, J. Walton (re-elected) ; Treasurer, Supt. Deere; Trustee, Deputy Supt. White.

Deputy Supt. White moved that/ the Association purchase six 50-feet length of hose. Seconded by Capt. McFarlane and' carried.