FIREBRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 3

FIREBRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (United Press Association.) TAURANGA, This Day. Delegates numbering 110, from all parts of the Dominion, are assembled for the 30th Annual Conference of the United Fire Brigade v s Association of New Zealand. The men attended church parade yesterday, and in the afternoon were entertained by the citizens at Mount Mangonui. On Saturday evening the visitors were entertained at a smoke concert by the local Brigade. This morning the Conference opened at 9 o'clock. The president, Mr R. P. Hean (Addington Workshops), in his opening address, welcomed the delegates, and expressed his pleasure at meeting delegates from Westfield, Whangarei, Woodhaug, and Woolston, who had joined during the year. The executive had approached the Government during the year for an increase of subsidy to the association, but the request was declined One hundred and fifty-one firemen had made the supreme FacT-ifice in the great fight for freedom, and the deepest sympathy was expressed with the bereaved relatives. Fireman J. R. Wilson (Milton), was appointed Minute Secretary. After calline the roll the meeting was adjourned for five minutes out of respect to the memory of comrades fallen in action. The roll of honour showed that 1318 members had enlisted. 151 had been killed, 183 wounded, 107 invalided, and two were prisoners of war. Two had received the D.C.M., three the M.C., and three the M.M. The fifteenth annual report showed assets over liabilities of £476 19s 9d. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have been £1739 4s (including £435 7s Id brought forward and £3OO Government subsidy), and the expenditure £l3lß 6d. leaving a credit balance of £421 3s Id. Resolutions were passed in favour of amending the Fire Brigades Act in the direction of compelling insurance companies to contribute to the upkeep of all brigades, and. in the event of the Fire Brigades Act not being amended, that the Municipal Corporations Act and the Counties Act should be amended with a view to securing the desired end. Other matters were dealt with, and the meeting adjourned till to-morrow morning.