FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8524, 26 March 1891, Page 6

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

The Conference continued its sittings yesterday morning at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms at half-past nine, Lieutenant Smith presiding'.'

VALOUR MEDAL. The committee appointed to consider the application for a valour medal for Superintendent West, of the Thames, reported that they were unauimously resolved that the evidence was not sufficient to justify them in making the award. The report was adopted.

RULES. The committee appointed to make the necessary alterations in the rules in accordance with tho resolutions passed at the meeting on the previous day, handed in their report. In addition to these alterations several slight corrections were made in the rules for competition. The report was adopted.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE FUND. Secretary Gilberd brought forward a proposal to form an accident insurance fund, to insure members against accidents at firea and practices. He thought 1000_ membere would give a revenue of about £250 for the first year, and after a few years it was probable that it would be unnecessary to call up the premiums. It would not be compulsory for all brigades to contribute to the funds. He would move that such a fund be formed, and that the Executive formulate a scheme to be presented to the various brigades. The resolution w»s adopted. MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE. It was suggested by the President that a delegate from the zVssoeiation should be sent to the meeting of municipal bodies to be held in Wellington shortly. He thought that the interests of the fire brigades should be looked after. It was resolved, in accordance with this suggestion, that Captain Cummins be requested to attend.

FIRE BRIGADES BILL. It was resolved that the proposed Bill be printed, and that copies thereof be sent to the members of the municipal bodies, and to the different fire brigades.

OFFICERS AT COMPETITIONS. Captain CUMMINS brought forward the question of the desirability of the , two principal officers of «ny brigade attending competitions. Ho thought that in case of a serious fire their absence from dutyTjnight cause serious results. Superintendent Jull moved, " That it be a recommendation from the Conference that it is inadvisable for the two chief officers in any Brigade to be absent from iheir duties at the same time." It was pointed out ( however, that there was no compulsion in this proposition. The idea was to throw the responsibility, in cose of a tire, from the Association to the brigade concerned. The resolution was lost. NEXT MEETING.

Invitations were then invited from delegates representing the different districts for the holding of the next Conference and demonstration.

Superintendent Waterworth invited the Association to hold their next meeting at iSapier. Ho was sure that the local brigade would do their best to make them comfortable. Lieutenant Smith, the president, stated that he had intended to invite the Association to Christchurch, but he would give way in favour of Napier. Secretary Watkkwortu thought it was certainly right that the South Island should have a turn. An invitation was also received from Hokitika and Ureymouth. On the question being put to the vote, a majority declared themselves in favour of accepting the Christehureh invitation. BRAVERY. Superintendent Hughes drew attention to the bravery and presence of mind displayed by George .Moore at a practice with the Pompier ladder a few weeks ago at the Shamrock Hotel, the circumstances of which have already been published in the Hkrald. The President said that such an act should be recognised by the Association and bv every fireman throughout New Zealand. It was seldom that such an act was met with. He was sure that any resolution of recognition would be heartily supported. Capt. Cummins was of opinion that this act of bravery should not pass unnoticed. He would suggest that subscriptions should be forwarded to the secretary from the various brigades as soon as possible, and that it should be left to the Executive as to what form the presentation should assume. Several delegates opposed the raising of subscriptions, as it would be very diilicu.lt for firemen not present to iully appreciate the ilonger of the act of George Moore. It was thought that a recognition by the Association would be more highly esteemed. It was finally resolved, "That the Association express its appreciation of the brave conduct of the Brothers Moore, and that the secretary be authorised to furnish them with a certificate of recognition." i ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Lieutenant Smith, of Christchurch, was re-elected president amid great enthusiasm. He briefly returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him, and promised the delegates ;i hearty welcome to Christchuroh. The following gentlemen were nominated for the otlice ol vice-presidents : —Captain Fookes (Aehburton), Captain Tingey (Palmerston North), Captain Gibbons (Masterton), Superintendent Jull (Hawera), and Lieutenant Adams (Wellington)- A ballot was taken and resulted in the election of Superintendent Jull and Captain Fookes. Sub-Superintendent GILBEKD, of Napier, was unanimously re-elected secretary. Three cheers were given in his honour, for which he duly returned thanks. Captain Cu.MMiKS spoke of the hard work of the secretary, and moved, " That the .salary of the secretary be £2.3, and that in addition to this a bonus of £25 be given to him." This was carried without opposition. VOTES OF THANKS. Lieutenant BfiLLKIXGER proposed, and Lieutenant Moitßls seconded, " That the secretary be thanked for his work in connection with the Fire and Ambulance Record." This was carried. Superintendent J via. proposed and Captain Fook.es seconded, " That the thanks of the Association be tendered to the Colonial Secretary for his grant, the N.S.S.Co. for reduction of fares, and the Railway Commissioners." The resolution was carried unanimously. Votes of thanks were also passed to the Auckland and Suburban Fire Brigades for their kindness in entertaining the visitors, and to the Auckland Press for their wood reports and for their assistance in working up the Conference. Hearty votes of thanks were also tendered to the retiring oflicers of the Association, and to the New Plymouth Brigade for the kindness received by delegates when passing through New Plymouth. The President was thanked for the able manner in which he had presided over the Association's meetings.

UNIFORM. A resolution was adopted to the effect, " That in future all members should attend the meetings of the Conference in uniform." The Conference was then closed. CONFERENCE BANQUET The banquet given by the city and suburban Fire Brigades to the delegates to the Conference, which has just concluded its session, took place last night at the Academy of Music, Lorne-street. The necessary preparations had been carried out by Superintendent Httghes, Senior Foreman Hurley, Junior Foreman Clark, Foremen Gladding, Wilkins, Brannigan, Firemen McDonald and Williams, Captains Cowan (Parnell), Wilson (Newmarket), Fenton (Newton), Chirk (Kden Terrace), Keyes (Mount Eden), and Secretary Little, of the Auckland Fire Brigade. The catering was in the hands of Mr. W. D. Dallen, who deserves the highest credit for the manner in which ho had carried out his duties. A band was in attendance, and played excellent musical selections. Mr. J. H. Upton, Mayor of Auckland, presided, and was supported on liia right by the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General of New Zealand,and on the left by Lieut. Smith, President of the Fire Brigades Association. The positions of vice-chairmen were tilled by Messrs. Malcolm Niccol, chairman of the Harbour Board, G. Kent, Mayor of Newmarket, and S. C. Brown, Mayor of Newton. There were also present : Messrs. La wry and Thompson, M.ll.R.'s, Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, Major Anderson, Messrs. W. Crowther, S. H. Matthews, Dr. Dawson, Captains Field (Auckland Salvage Corps) and .Styles (Invercargill Railway Brigade).

The toasts of the Queen, the Royal Family, and His Excellency the Governor having been drunk, The Mayor proposed "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," and paid a high tribute to the various branches ot defence. Mr. Upton spoke of the admirable manner in which Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, whose name was coupled with his toast, had performed his various duties in connection with the volunteers in ths past, and he sincerely regretted that he was about to end his career here as head of the volunteer force. He hoped the Government would re-consider this matter.

Lieutenant-Colonel Shepiiekd, who was received with great applause, responded. He said he had worked alongside firemen in England, and when he looked upon the men around him he could not help feeling that he would like to recruit from among them. He deeply regretted having to say farewell to the volunteers.

Mr. Malcolm Niccol then proposed, " The Legislative Council and the House of Representatives." He said lie did so with some diffidence, when he saw present tile Hon. the Postmaster-General, who was, he believed, an opponent of the San .Francisco mail service ; but he was glad to say that recent utterances had shown that this service was

not likely to be dispensed with at present. The new Ministry had made a good start, and their retrenchment proposals seemed to be of a more satisfactory nature than those of recent Governments. The Hon. J. G. Ward, in_ replying, stated that he had been to a certain extent misrepresented with regard to his views upon the San Francisco mail service. He was to a certain extent in favour of this service ; he believed, in pruning the tree, and not in cutting it up by the roots. Mr. Ward expressed himself as strongly opposed to the property tax, and said that his Government were prepared to stand or fall in their attempt to repeal this measure. In reference to the regret expressed by the Chairman for the loss of the services of Colonel Shepherd, he stated that retrenchment was, he was well aware, a most unpleasant duty, but it must take place—the country absolutely demanded it. He would ask for the sympathy of all present with the Government in the performance of their painful duty in this respect. He assured them that it gave them no pleasure to carry out these measures of retrenchment. Messrs. F. Lawry and T. Thompson. M.H.R.'s, also responded, and expressed satisfaction at what Mr, Ward said in regard to the property tax. Mr. M. Niccol proposed " The Mayor and Councillors, Auckland, Parnell, Newmarket, and Newton, and the Chairmen of the Mount Eden aud Eden Terrace Road Boards." This toast was responded to by the Mayors present. Mr. Upton* then proposed the chief toast of the evening, " The United Fire Brigades of New Zealand." He spoke in the highest terms of the duty of a fireman, and stated that the public generally would soon learn to see the great value of fire brigades if they ceased to exist for a short time. He was not, however, in favour of the growing desire of people to be paid for their public services. Lieutenant Smith responded to the toast, and returned thanks for the kindness shown to the delegates during their stay in this city. Lieutenant Smith then proposed " The City and Suburban Fire Brigades." Vice-Presidents Jull and Fookes also spoke to this toast. Superintendent Hughes and Captain Cowas responded. Superintendent Hughes proposed the next toast, that of "The Auckland Salvage Corps." He referred to the great services rendered to the fire brigade by the Salvage Corps, and to the kiudly feeling which existed between himself and the members of the Salvage Corps. Captain Field i-eplied, and spoke of the cordial relations which existed between his corps and the lire brigades. Ihe remainder of the evening was spent in. a very pleasant and convivial manner. The following toasts were duly given and responded to: —"The Police," "Our Citizens," " The Ladies," and " The Press." Apologies for inability to attend were received from His Excellency the Governor, Inspector Broham, Mr. Sealy (Mayor of Parneil), Mr. Harrop, and Captain West. During the evening several songs were given. The Hon. J. G. Ward sang "The Mill Beside the Sea," and in response to a demand for an encore, which would not be denied, he contributed a comic seng. Captain Styles also sang, and Vice-President Jull recited "The Curfew Shall Not Toll Tonight." The song " Let Me Like a Soldier Fall" was given by Sub-superintendent George. The menu cards, which were supplied from the Hkrald works, were elegantly designed and neatly printed.