FIRE BRIGADES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15557, 6 March 1911, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADES.

ASSOCIATION MEETING AT HOKITIKA. [Pur Press Association.] HOKITIKA, March 4. The thirty-second annual meeting of the United Fire Brigades’ Association was opened in the Town Hall, Hokitika, yesterday, Mr J. G. Gilbert] (Napier) presiding over one hundred delegatee. Inspector Hugo was also present. The president welcomed the delegates, referring feelingly to three past presidents, Mr Whiteford (Wellington), who was the first president, Mr Amos (Timarn) and Mr Lucas (Napier), who had died during the past year He hoped the deliberations would result in the advancement of the service.

The executive’s report was most satisfactory. The balance-sheet- showed that the balance of assets over liabilities had risen from £537 to £7BO. During the year two fire brigades had joined, and the total number affiliated with ,the Association was now 115. The Accident Society connected with the Association had paid out £l3l in claims, and there was still a small profit of £133. The total funds now amounted to £1662.

The Mayor of Hokitika (Mr Michel) welcomed the delegates on behalf of the citizens. Reviewing the growth of the Association from the second demonstration in 1830, he said that only five brigades were present of over eighty brigades taking part in the demonstration, and 104 brigades at the Conference. The speaker paid a tribute to the excellent work done by the various Fire Boards, mentioning £I7OO spent by the Hokitika Board on new plant and buildings. The Greymouth remit that the secretary’s term of office should be three years was carried. The Oneliunga remit that members of tho executive must be bona fide members of a brigade was withdrawn. The Pahiatua. remit that a levy should he made on each brigade tor the purpose of helping disabled firemen, their wives and families was referred to the committee to report, and also a committee was set up to report on and consider what amendments should be made in the Fire Brigades Act so as to better the fire brigade service of the dominion. Amongst other committees set up was one to interview the superintendent of the Christchurch Brigade and endeavour to induce him to reconsider his decision and rejoin the Association.

Invitations for the next Conference were received from Picton, Palmerston North and Rotorua, and those were referred to the various brigades for decision.

The election of officers resulted as under:—President, Mr Roves (Nelson): vice-presidents. Messrs Leaver (A\ estport) and Salmon (Dunedin); secretary, Mr Watts (Newmarket); treasurer, Mr Spriggins (Wanganui). After the Conference closed tho delegates were entertained at dinner by the citizens, the Mayor of Hokitika being in the chair. During tho function the Mayor presented past president Gilberd with a handsomely-bound autograph album of the various firemen in the dominion. The Mayor also referred to Air Oilberd’s thirty-three years’ service, twenty-four of which had been as secretary. HOKITIKA, March 5.

The annual fire brigades competitions were commenced here yesterday, when splendid weather prevailed. Of the eleven competitions to be held, two were got off, viz., the two men coupling (dry) and the one man manual event. Sixty teams competed. The following are results: DRY COUPLlNG—Mastcrton, 88sec, 1. Dunedin South (inclusive of penalty 2sce) and Hokitika (lsec penalty) tied for second place, with a time of 30 2-osec. Tho tie is to be decided on Monday. Hamilton was placed fourth, its time 40sco (including 3eec penalty); Hastings was fifth, 40 3-6scc (including 3sec penalty); Hillside Railway sixth, 41 4-ssec (including 2soc penalty). Timaru 42 l-ssec tied for seventh place with Auckland Railway (lsec penalty). Other competitors were—Carterton 48sec, Napier 43 2-sscc. Wanganui 43 3-saec, Patea 43 4-ssec, Dunedin South 44sec, Dnnnevirkc 45sec, Newmarket 46 3-ascc, Mosgiol 47 2-Seec. Sixty teams competed.

ONE-MAN MANUAL EVENT—Timaru, 37 l-ssec; Hokitika, 40seo, 2; Dunodin City, 40 3-,ssec, 3; Geraldine. 41sec (including 3seo penalty), 4. Timaru Railway and Masterton 42 2-6 sec dead heat, Greymouth 43soc (lsec penalty), Hastings 44 2-osec, Napier 45 l-ssec (5300 penalty), Greytown 45 2-ssec, Carterton 46sec (lsec penalty), Lower Hutt 48 2-ssec, Patoa 51 l-oscc (3sec penalty). The standard being reduced from time to time, tho following teams were "blown out”:—Te Kuiti, Kainpoi, Invercargill, Honiara, Waverley, Dannevirke, the Hastings Police, Wanganui and Spit. Tho following are the first six teams out of the twenty-five who havo so far competed in tho Reel and Ladder (wet) event:—Timaru 59 3-ssec. Invercargill 61 4-ssec, Wanganui 63 2-ssoc (4sec penalty), Dunedin City 6* 2-osec, Naseby 67 4-ssec, Roslyn 68 2-sscc (lsec penalty). Caversham, Stratford. Reefton, Napier and Hokitika teams were disqualified.