FIRE BRIGADE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 659, 28 June 1871, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE.

A public meeting called by the bellman was held in the Town Hall on Friday, 23rd inst., for the purpose of reorganising the Queenstown Fire Brigade. A considerable time elapsed before i sufficient number attended to justify the commencement of business. However, at about half-past nine o'clock (there being about a dozen persons present) 1 Captain Powell, as chairman, stated the object for which he had called that meeting. He said there had been several alarms lately, and he found his corps very inefficient at present, and also defective, owing to many of the old members having left the town. The working material also was not what it should be. The hose recently obtained by the Corporation was unsuitable (being a straight one), except when drawing from the town wells. What was wanted was a flexible suction hose, and this they would probably get in course of time. With regard to the Brigade, he found it very difficult to work with men not acquainted with the routine matter, and he hoped the meeting would elect officers able and willing to practice regularly. It had been very annoying to him to find men of large property in the town taking so little active part in an important affair of this kind, and if he found a continuation of this apathy he should do as he had done before—resign his office. With regard to the necessary funds to carry on the proper working of the Brigade, he might remark that the Corporation had hitherto provided them. The Brigade was entitled to a subsidy from Government, but the Dunedin body seemed to have taken it all, while this body had never received anything. Some time ago he spoke to Messrs Haughton and Shepherd (then members for the Lakes) on the matter, but had heard nothing more of it since. After a short discussion it was resolved to proceed with the election of officers; but, before doing so several new members were enrolled. Mr Matheson occupied the chair until the election of captain took place. The following are the names of officers elected : —Mr D. Powell, captain; Mr L. Hotop, lieutenant; Mr F. Tyree, sergeant; Mr D. Cash, foreman ; and Mr W. Warren, hon. secretary. The working Committee consisted of Messrs Hallenstein, Betts, Malaghan, Yause, Rogers, Robertson, M'Donald and Boult. It was resolved that, members meet for practice every Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock ; and that general meetings take place after practice, on the first Friday in each month. Ordered that the ttbn. Secretary be instructed to write Messrs Haughton and Robertson, requesting them to endeavor tc procure a share of the subsidy passed by the Provincial Council towards Fire Brigades. On the motion of Messrs Malaghan and Rogers, it was resolved that Mr E. Samuel be appointed engineer to the Brigade. The meeting then broke up with a vote of thanks to the Chair.