FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 85, 29 October 1936, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

NELSON, MARLBOROUGH, AND GOLDEN BAY SUB-ASSOCIATION

The second annual conference of the above sub-association took place at the Show Ground pavilion on Saturday, October 24, 1936, Superintendent A. J. Bennett (Nelson) presiding. Those present were: President A. J. Bennett (Nelson), Captain Canton (Alotueka), Lieutenant Bush (Blenheim), Captain H. C. Harrison (Kaikoura), Fireman R. AGahoney (Kaikoura), Lieutenant Coster (Picton), Captain W. Patterson (Pieton), Fireman R. V. Bythell (Blenheim), Lieutenant T. Simpson (Alotueka), and Secretary O. C. Wilkinson. Annual Report The President (Superintendent A. J. Bennett) in his annual report, stated: —‘‘lt gives me the greatest pleasure as your president to extend a hearty welcome to you all to our second conference and competitions, ami it is ’o be hoped that the time spent will be both pleasant and profitable to the delegates and competitors, and that you will return to your respective brigades with knowledge that will be most useful in carrying out your duties. I would ask you all to remember that the measure of our success depends upon the dignity we attach to the conduct of our meetings and competitions. I want to see this Association second to none if only for the reason that it holds in its embrace the control of services with which the community can never dispense. The brigadesmen’s task to-day is as great, may be greater, than ever it was and will continue to be so—l therefore welcome you doubly; firstly, because you are the membe ’s of whom the Association is formed, ai d for whom it works and has its being; and secondly, because our Association backed by such zeal and enthusiasm is having an increasingly greater moral and practical influence on the affairs of our different districts. Your executive and delegates from each district met in Nelson in July last to arrange the programme, etc., and I state that wo are all most grateful to Captain Harrison, his brigade, and Kaikoura citizens for the invitation to hold our competitions at Kaikoura. Our last competitions held at Picton were most successful and we Extend to Captain Patterson and Picton brigadesmen our sincere thanks. The Association has been presented with a most valuable shield by Brigadesman R. V. Bythell, of Blenheim, for the one-mian coupling event. Our special thanks are extended to Brigadesman Bythell. You will all be pleased to hear that the Tahuna Bri-

gade are anxious to become members of our Association. 1 have taken the privilege of extending to them an invitation to be present at this meeting, also offering all assistance possible to them. On to-day’s programme there arc seven events to be run and I would ask delegates to have their teams on the field sharp on time, so as to have as little delay as possible with the programme. You will have before you this morning the business of the Association; the conference is just what you make it and I appeal to all to be interested and keep to the point under discussion. In conclusion gentlemen, I thank you for electing me as your first president and it has been a pleasure at all times to work with your executive officers and the teams competing at competitions. I will at all times be interested in the well being of the Association and offer all assistance possible.” The Secretary read the balance-sheet, showing the receipts to have been £lB 18/- and expenditure £1 13/9, leaving z a credit of £l7 5/3. The report and balance-sheet wore adopted on the motion of Fireman Bythell, seconded by Captain Canton.

Correspondence A letter was received from the U.F.B. Association approving of the programme; also one from the Kaikoura Brigade in reference to cups and trophies to be displayed in Kaikoura. —The letters were received. Accounts amounting to £1 18/6 were passed for payment. , Notices of Motion The Nelson Brigade forwarded the following remits: — 1. That Rule 2, clause 2, be altered to read.: ‘‘That the annual meeting of the Association be held on the morning of the demonstration, and a special meeting be held alternatively at Nelson and Blenheim, if possible, in July of each year. ’ ’ The President claimed that it was the executive’s job to draw up the programme and said he favoured the endorsement of the rule. Captain Patterson said he favoured the alteration, but desired to know how they would get over rule 10. The motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. 2. That in Rule 6, clause 1, to delete the words ‘‘and four members of different brigades.” The President said it was considered that the executive was too big and entailed the expense of sending two delegates instead of one. Claptain Patterson said it meant cutting down the executive to the executive officers only. Fireman Bythell asked if there was any likelihood of the remit disfranchising any brigade. After further discussion the remit was carried without dissent. 3. Rule 12: Add to rule after the word ‘‘four” on the first line the word ‘ ‘ three. ’ ’ The President and Lieutenant Bush favoured the cutting down of the Firenflan Bythell said, while being in accord with the previous speakers, he questioned the wisdom of making the change and he thought it would bo better to bring the matter up at a major demonstration to let the major body make the amendment. The conference recommended the adoption of the clause, to operate from that day as a gentlemen’s agreement. 4. Rule 12 - : Delete section 4 and add new rule to road: “That the executive shall be the Protest Committee.” The President favoured the remit stating that the executive ran the demonstration and therefore should act as

’ the Protest Committee. ’ The motion was carried without further discussion. 5. That a sum of £3 be allowed for ’ expenses of delegates attending special meetings of the association, this sum : to be divided among the three brigades of the Nelson district when attending I Blenheim and among the ATarlborough brigades when attending the meeting in Nelson. ' The President explained the position, stating that finance was the vital miatter. Captain Canton agreed with the re’marks of the President and said the conference should consider the secretary and thiat his travelling expenses should be paid. Captain Patterson said he favoured a grant for the Kaikoura Brigade when travelling to Nelson to attend special meetings. Fireman Bythell considered Kaikoura was entitled to such a grant. He moved: That each brigade be granted £1 when attending at Blenheim or Nelson and Kaikoura £2 when travelling to Nelson and £1 when travelling to Blenheim. The motion was put to the meeting

and carried. A remit from the Picton Brigade: Add to Rule 6, section 3, “That the retiring president be eligible for reelection.” The remit was carried. General Captain Patterson recommended that remits bo forwarded earlier in order to give the brigades time to discuss them. The question of entering teams was also referred to. Captain Patterson moved: “That the secretary .be granted £3 for his services during the past year.” The. Secretary (Mr O. C. Wilkinson) said he gave his services free and could not. accept, payment. It was then agreed that the Secretary be allowed £3 for travelling expenses. It was decided to allocate the Picton publicans * cup to event 5 on the Kaikoura programme. Fireman Bythell moved: “That the ruling of the U.F.B. Association in connection with bowling hose be adopted in all coil events.” Captain Patterson and Superintendent Bennett contended that it was emphasised that all coil lengths be bowled and could not see why the Secretary of the Association should confine it to only “wet” coils. Lieutenant Bush asked why coconut matting wfis required if it was intended for dry bowling only. Captain Patterson said it was necessary to have a decision to govern the day’s demonstration. The Secretary referred to the resolution previously passed on the subject. The President contended that the Secretary of the Association (Mr Watts) had given a wrong ruling. Fireman Bythell having replied the motion w'as put to the meeting and lost. Lieutenant Bush and Fireman Bythell asked to have their votes recorded against the motion. The President moved that the rules be reprinted and circulated.—Seconded by Captain Patterson and carried. Election of Officers The, following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Captain Canton (Motueka); vice-presi-dents, senior. Captain Patterson (Picton) and Captain H. Harrison (Kaikoura); secretary and treasurer, Fireman O. C. Wilkinson (Motueka); chief starter, Mr G. Hogg (Nelson); call steward and judge, Fireman Bythell (Blenheim); judge of stand pipe, Captain 11. Harrison (Kaikoura); examiner of couplings, Captain Patterson; judge of bnanchcs, Captain Canton; disc judge, Fireman Cory; timekeeper, Mr M. Cory; judge of bowling hose, Superintendent A. J. Bennett.

The President said it had been a privilege to preside over the conference and congratulated Captain Canton on his (dection as President and hoped he would have a pleasant term of office. He also congratulated Captains Patterson and Harrison and wished them every success. Captain Harrison extended a hearty welcome to the members of the conference and hoped the trip would prove enjoyable and that they would have pleasant memories of their visit to Kaikoura. Captain Canton returned thlanks and moved a vote of thanks to the retiring President and the Press. The conference then terminated. THE DEMONSTRATION The first fire demonstrfation to be held in Kaikoura took place at the Show Grounds on October 24, when teams from Picton, Blenheim, Nelson, Motueka, and Kaikoura took part, before a fair attendance of the public. The pressure of water varied from 140 lbs down and for Motueka the use of high pressure was something new, as there is no system in Motueka. The Kaikoura men made their first appearance in first-class company and performed creditably. Unfortunately they had a blow out though loose coupling in the second event and earned a penalty of 4 sec, and in event 3 there was no test; in event 4 they secured fourth place and in event 5 were second. The arrangements for the demonstration were carried out by the Kaikoura Brigade and loft nothing to bo desired. The following was the result of the events: — ONE MAN COUPLING: Man dressed in shirt and trousers with cover, to ibc lying on a stretcher 10 yards in rear of plug. At signal from starter, to get up and dress, putting on tunic of which four buttons must be fastened, boots, helmet, belt (end of which must be in keeper), and spanner. Run 10 .yards, plant hydrant, unstrap and couple to hydrant, 50 feet coiled hose, run out to union, then connect 50 feet to each delivery of union, run out both lengths, fix branches and finish five yards in front of .branches, one branch to be lying on the side of the coil in front of hydrant, the other branch to be lying on side of union at 50 feet mark, one delivery of union and hydrant to be capped each length of hose to be run out separately:— Fireman R. Thompson (Nelson) 67 4-5 sec., .. . . . . 1 Fireman J. Furness (Blenheim), 74 2-5 sec., . . . . . . . . 2 Fireman J. Troland (Picton) 82 see. 3 Fireman R. Bush (Blenheim) 84 sec. 4 Foreman C. Drummond (Nelson) 92 sec., . . . . . . ... 5 Firenlan James (Motueka) 113 sec. 6 TWO MEN COUPLING: Two men to run 25 yards to plug, fix standpipe, break two couplings connected to two short lengths, connect 50 feet hose to each delivery of standpipe, connect union to each 50 foot length, then 50 feet hose to each delivery of union, fix four branches and finish over mark 5 yards past branches. Standpipe to be lying alongside of plug, hose union and .branches to bo laid out. One delivery of standpipe and each union to be capped. Two right hand leads from unions to be connected to each 50 feet length from standpipe: — R. Bush and J. Furness (Blenheim) 46 2-5 sec., . . . . 1 C. Drummond and R. M. Thompson (Nelson) 49 sec. .. .. 2

R. Burns und R. Powick (Picton) 49 2-5 sec., . . . . . . 3 i L. Horncastle and L. Kitching ! (Nelson) 50 3-5 sec., .. . . 4 J. Ireland and C. Coster (Picton) 51 2-5 sec., .. .. . . l L. Hall and R. Rose (Blenheim) 56 3-5 sec., . . .. • • 6 L. Sabiston and K. Osmond (Kaikoura) 65 2-5 sec. . . .. 7 G. James and W. Robinson (Motueka) 66 1-5 sec. . . .. 8 A. Atkins and D. Skelton (Motuekak) 68 sec. . . • - .. 9 TWO MEN HOSE AND STANDPIPE: Two men to run 100yds to gear, pick ( up standpipe, two 50ft lengths of wet 1 hose, properly strapped and coiled on the bight, and one branch, run 25yds to plug, ship standpipe, connect and run out 50ft hose, connect branch and strike disc with water, extend the first 50ft length with another 50 ft hose, connect and put on branch, strike disc, with water through 100 ft of hose, time to .be taken when second disc is broken:— R,_ Rose and L. Hall (Blenheim), 48 3-5 see. .. • • • • .. 1 C. Drummond and R. Thompson (Nelson) 58 4.-5 sec. . . • • 2 1 R. Bush and J. Furness (Blenheim) I 63 sec. .. • • • • • • 3 i J. Ireland and R. Powick (Picton) 54 sec. . . • • • • 4 L. Horncastle and L. Kitching (Nelson) 71 4-5 sec. .. - - .. o R. Coster and R. Burns (Picton) 80 1-5 sec. 6 D. Skelton and A. Atkins (Motueka) 82 3-5 sec. . . • • . . 7 THREE MEN, DISABLED HOSE: Three men to run 10yds, pick up standpipe, three 50ft lengths of wet hose coiled on the bight, properly strapped and one branch, run 25yds to plug, ship standpipe, connect and run out 50ft of hose, put on branch and strike water with disc, then run out second 50ft length of hose, connect to first 50ft length and strike disc with water; then replace the first 50ft length (disabled) and strike the disc with water through 100 ft of hose. Time to be taken when third water strikes the disc. Knot to be tied in female end of disabled length: R. Rose, L. Hall, R. Bush (Blenheim) 65 2-5 sec. .. .. 1 R. Thompson, C. Drummond, L. Kitching (Nelson) 73 sec . . 2 R.. Powick, C. Coster, R. Burns (Pieton) 74 sec. . . - • 3 R. Mahoney, L. Sabiston, K. Os- [ mond (Kaikoura) 83 4-5 sec - . 4 T. Simpson, A. Atkins, D. Skelton . (Motueka) 137 sec. . . . . 5 s FOUR MEN COILED HOSE: Four men to run 10yds, pick up four 50ft lengths of wet hose, standpipe and two branches, run 25yds to plug, ship standpipe, connect and run out two 50ft lengths to 50ft mark, connect two 50ft lengths to the first fix 1 branches and strike disc through two leads 100 ft. Immediately discs are broken turn off water and make up ' gear, hose to be coiled with male I coupling inside and laid at the plug, branches to .be returned to plug, standr pipe to be unshipped and cap to be on the plug when time will be taken: ’ L. Kitching, L. Horncastle, R. ' Moore, C. Drummond (Nelson) > 90 1-5 sec. .. . • • • 1 R. Mahoney, L. Sabiston, K. OsI mond, M. Leitch (Kaikoura) I 108 sec 2 R. Powick, D. Goff, C. Coster, R. Burns (Picton) 109 2-5 sec. . . 3 A. Atkins, R. Primmer. D. Skelton, G. James (Motueka) 120 sec. .. 4

THREE MEN MOTOR: Three men to get to work with 100 ft lead from standpipe. No. 1 opens locker and flakes branch over 80ft mark from plug, sees he has sufficient slack and

strikes disc with water. No. 2 pulls hose from locker, breaks coupling, connects to standpipe and backs up branchman. No. 3 takes standpipe from motor, ships and turns on water:— R. Rose, R. Bush, L. Hnll (Blenheim) 23 1-5 see 1 H. Hayward, IL -Mahoney, K. Osmond (Kaikoura) 25 sec. .. 2 O. Coster, D. Goff, R. Burns (Picton) 26 sec. .. .. ..3 R. Moore, L. Horncastle, R. Thompson (Nelson) 31 sec. .. ..4 R. Primmer, T. Simpson, G. James (Motueka) 32 sec. . . .. 5 FOUR MEN MOTOR EVENT: Four men to get to work with lOOfe deliveries each from standpipe and strike two discs with water. No. 1 opens locker and takes bjfanch over Ssft mark from plug, sees he has sufficient slack and strikes disc with water. No. 2 pulls hose from locker, breaks coupling and hands to No. 3 who must remain within 6ft from plug). No. 2 returns to motor, takes second load over 85ft mark land strikes disc with water. No. 3 opens and clears plug, receives coupling from No. 2, connects to standpipe, returns to motor, breaks second coupling and makes to standpipe. No. 4 takes standpipe, ships and controls water: — C. Coster, R. Powick, D. Goff, R. Burns (Pieton) 46 sec. .. . . 1 C. Drummond. L. Horneastle, L. Kitching (Nelson) 47 sec. .. 2 J. Furness, R. Bush, L. Hall, R. Rose (Blenheim) 47 2-5 sec. .. .. 3 R. Mahoney, H. Hayward, L. Sabiston, K. Osmond (Kaikoura) 52 1-5 sec. .. .. . . 4 D. Skelton, A. Atkins, R.. Primmer, G. James (Motueka) 55 3-5 sec. 5 Aggregate Points Team Points Position Nelson . . 64$ 1 Blenheim . . 56} 2 Picton . . 53} 3 Kaikoura . . 33 4 Motueka . . 22} 5 CHURCH PARADE AND SERVICE On Sunday morning members of the brigades competing at the demonstration were joined by members of the Oddfellows’ Lodge and visiting officers and headed by the Kaikoura Brass Band (Mr A. W. Ball; drum-major), marched from the Rink Garage to the Garden of Memories, where a combined service was conducted by Dr. W. G. Hilliard (Bishop of Nelson), assisted by the Rev. S. Corney (Anglican) and the Rev. F. Robertson (Presbyterian). Hymns w'ere sung to the accompaniment of the band under the baton of Mr E. J. Williams, prayers offered up by the Rev. F. Robertson and the lesson read by the Rev. S. Corney. Bishop Hilliard delivered a most interesting address touching on service to God and the Empire, referred to the sacrifice made by the soldiers in the Great War; and of the service performed by fire brigadesmen. He said he fel*t it a privilege to be permitted to speak from jiuch a sacred place, at the base of the memorial erected to men who had paid the Supreme sacrifice in service to their country, an inspiration to the community, of service- sacrifice, and comradeship rendered that would last for all time. It was a most inspiring spot, the Garden of Memories being one of the most beautiful he had seen. He was grateful to the band and all who had come along to assist in the service.