AUCKLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3997, 3 September 1874, Page 3

AUCKLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

IN pursuance of announcement to the effect that Mr. A slier had given up the mangernent of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, and asking the members of the company to assemble at the Queensterry Hotel, a meeting was held last night. Mr. Asher made an explanation of the reason why he had called them together. He had been twenty-one years, he said, in charge of such matters, and for some reason another gentleman had been called on from a Southern province to take his place. He had now only to say that he would still be willing to assist in any new scheme to the best of his ability. He then declared the company disbanded, and handed over to the members of the company the small amount due to them for work performed at previous fires. After this had been done, Mr. Asher said that although he had not received any money to pay for certain services rendered, lie would do it out of his own pocket. To this intent he had brought' £5 worth of silver with him, and would distribute it. The money was then apportioned.—Various other matters of detail in respect to the finances of the expiring company were then discussed, and on the motion of Mr. Butterworth, seconded by Mr. James Storey, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Asher.—Mr. Asher responded in a few words, stating that he would by no means ask any of his men to keep away from the new brigade. He would rather they would join and assist to the best of their ability in carrying out the schemes of the new managers. —A numbers of the disbanded company then expressed their regrets that they should have to work under any other than their late captain. Several other votes of thanks were passed,—notably those to Mr. Guilding and Mr. Fuljames, who specially mentioned that ho had been serving for many years under Mr. Braidwood, the London Superintendent of Fire Brigades, and had he not had the utmost confidence in Mr. Asher's ability he would not have remained under his charge.—Mr. Stanton thought that it would be a graceful act of CQurtesy to their late superintendent to arrange for providing a testimonial to Mr. Asher on his retirement, and a committee, consistingofMessrs. Storey, Smart, Fuljames, Guilding, Stanton, and Butterworth was appointed for that purpose, /to meet at the same place, at seven • o'clock, on Saturday evening next.