UNITED FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13397, 28 January 1907, Page 7

UNITED FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

CONFERENCE AND DEMON-

STRATION AT WAIHI.

THAMES WIN CHAMPIONSHIP

SHIELD

[lIV TELEGRAPH. —OWN" COKRESPOXOKNT.]

Waihi, Saturday. THE annual meeting of the Auckland District United Fire Brigades' Association was held in the fire brigade station last night, when among those present were: The president of the association. Captain Williams (Mount Eden), Captain Brown (Waihi), Captain Cowan (Parnell), Mr. C. S. Collins (secretary). Captain Barrett (Coromandel). Mr. J. Champion (secretary), Mr. Houghton (secretary Archhill Brigade), Fireman Bateman (Thames), Fireman Jane (Mount Eden), and Fireman Jones, who held a proxy for Whangarei. The secretary reported that during the year the Karaugahake Brigade had joined the association. The Hamilton Brigade, in. response to an invitation to join, had stated that tho matter was being held in abeyance. Reference, was made to the Gladding memorial, it being pointed out that there was a shortage of £5. and that in order to make up the deficiency it would be necessary to make a levy of lis on each of the brigades guaranteeing the memorial tablet. The tablet in question hail been placed in St. Matthew'- Church, to mark the death of Fireman Gladding, who lost his life in Messrs. T. and S. Morrin's ironmongery fire. It was resolved that a levy of 11- be struck. In connection with unaffiliated brigades, it was resolved that all brigades not affiliated be asked to join the association. A credit, balance of £7 12s 4d was shown in the balance-sheet, which was read and adopted. A motion from the Auckland Railway Brigade, in regard to limiting the entries to two teams for one event, was thrown out, because the notice of motion had reached the secretary too late. The Mount Eden delegate moved, "That the association hold demonstrations bi-an-nually." The motion was defeated by seven votes to five. It was resolved that the letter from the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, acknowledging the message of condolence at the time of the death of the late Premier, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, be framed and preserved. On the motion of Fireman Bateman (Thames), it was decided that programmes be issued to the various brigades at least two months previous to the holding of the event-, the executive to have power to suspend the same in the event of the United Association's programme not coming to hand in time.

It was agreed that the points for the shield should count as follows:—Five-men events, It) points for first, -ix for second, and three for third; three-men events, eight, five, and two; two-men events, six, three, and one; one-man events, four, two, and one. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: — President, Captain Cowan OPariiell); vice-president*, Captain Brown (Waihi) ami Captain Parsons (Archhill); secretary, Mr. C. E. Collins (Parnell); treasurer, Mr. J. Champion (life lion, member): auditors. Messrs. Willerton (Mount Eden) and Jones (Parnell).

The annual demonstration held in connection with the Auckland District. United Fire Brigades' Association took place. There was a very good attendance, and the various events excited considerable interest. The Waihi Federal Band was in attendance. The Thame.- Brigade won the shield. The result?, of the competitions wero as follows : —

Wet Hose, Hydrant, and Union (for fivemen): Waihi No. 1 team (firemen Malcolmson, Clews. Feather, Johns, and Lockington), 295., 1: Thames No. 1 (Captain Gibbons, Firemen Alexander. Billing, Willetts, and Coutts), 33 2-55., 2; Parnell (Captain Cowan, Firemen Baker, Jones, Peachy, and Roles), 37 4-55., 6. The following teams also competed:-— Auckland Railway, 47 4-5-.; Waihi No. 2, and Thames. The two latter were disqualified for not completing the competition in terms of the conditions.

Rescue Event (for two men): Waihi No. 1 (Foreman Malcolinson and Fireman Clew-). 225., 1: Thames No. 1 (Firemen Alexander and Billing), 23 2-5-., 2; Waihi No. 2 (Firemen McGee and Williams), 24 l-55., 3. Four other teams competed, viz. Thames No. 2, 25 l-55.; Parnell, 26 2-5-. ; Waihi No. 3, 275.: Grey Lynn (disqualified).

Hose Reel and Union Competition (for five men): Waihi No. 2, 52»., 1; Thames No. 1, 55 2-53., 2. The ll'arnell and Thames No. 2 teams were disqualified.

Coupling (for two men): Thames No. 1, 39 155., 1; Waihi No. 5, 37 2-55., 2; Parnell No. 2.4 Us., 3. Hose Reel and Ladder (for five men): Waihi No. 1, 57 2-55., 1: Thames No. 2, 625., 2: Waihi No. 2. 63 3-55., 3. Hose. Hydrant, and Union (for three men): Waihi No. 1. 32 l-55., 1: Waihi No. 2, 355., 2. In this event one of the Waihi men lost his helmet, thus depriving Waihi from gaining the major points, which would have placed them first for the shield. Parnell and Waihi had then to meet to decide whether the Waihi or Thames Brigades would win the shield. Parnell won, and thus gave the championship to the Thames, the latter winning by 0110 point.