FIREMEN'S CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14004, 9 March 1909, Page 6

FIREMEN'S CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. The thirtieth annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand was begun in tiie Pitt-street Schoolroom yesterday morning. Brigades in all parts of the Dominion wore, represented, there being as many as 101 delegates pre* sent. Those on file platform consisted of Senior Fireman George Wildish (Gisborne), president Captain A. C. Hawsen (Westport), junior past president Secretary E. E. Boyes. (Nelson) and Superintendent W. Lucas (Spit), vice-presidents; lion. Superintendent J. G. Gilberd (Napier V.l'. secretary; Captain A. E. Eagle ton (Napier Fire Police Salvage Corps), assistant-secre-tary; Captain G. Sprigging (VYauganui), treasurer; and Secretary Martin (Gore), a past president. Among those present were also the following past presidents: —ExSuperiutendent E. Smith (Chnstchurcli), Secretary B. C. Bobbins (Haweru), Superintendent J. Smith (Ratigiora), Captain I*. Beliriugcr (New Plymouth), and Superintendent Woo ley (Auckland). The President, in opening the conference, said his object during the past year had been to make the association more useful, and of greater benefit to the various brigades than heretofore. He thanked the Auckland brigades and public for the kindness shown to the visitors. He also had to thank his brother officers for their help; 6 for the firemen, they had given yhim every assistance during the past year, and had made his work a pleasure. (Applause.) At the last conference their secretary (Mr. J. G. Gilberd) had been unwell, and had had to go Home to England for medical treatment. He (the president) was now pleased to say that Mr. Gilberd was strong and well, and present at the meeting, (Applause.) He thanked Captain Eagleton for carrying out. the secretarial duties in Mr. Gilberd's stead. The speaker then said that few of the brigades had taken advantage of the Fire Brigades Act. The first Act covered a population of 5000, but the 1907 Act only covered a 2000- population basis, and this would have taken in most of the brigades. However, a lot of trouble had ensued over the matter. He thought the brigades had not gone into the matter properly, or there would have been a larger number of brigades working under the I jurisdiction of fire boards. It was often contended . that insurance companies did not pay anything, . but under the Fire Board they had to pay their quota. In the _ absence of the Mayor (Mr. Grey) through indisposition, Mr. A. J. Entrican, a member of the City Council, welcomed the delegates to Auckland, and hoped that their visit would be profitable. He had to apologise for the absence of the chairman of the Fire Board (Mr. Goldie). The Auckland Fire Board had had the best career of any, and had met with no difficulties. It had studied the men's interests, and. he thought they had one of the most efficient brigades in New Zealand. Mr. F. E. Baume, M.P., then addressed the gathering. There was not,one man in New Zealand, he said, who did not bear testimony to the value of the fire brigades. Intelligence and bravery were* displayed in fire brigade work. Young men were taking the place of their elders, and the enthusiasm displayed was shown by the large attendance of firemen in Auckland, and their keenness for the dry details of their work, but it was only by the men and their leaders taking a keenness in red-tape and routine work that they could hope to prove efficient. Messrs. C. H. Pole and A. E. Glover, M.P.'s also spoke on similar lines. The President, in reply, said the visitors would take advantage of the welcome extended to them. When he had attended the last conference held in Auckland, 11 years ago, the city had a very poor station, but the one at present was one of the finest in New Zealand. He congratulated Superintendent Woolley and SubSuperintendent Williams, of Auckland, on' the work they had done. REPORT AND BALANCE The 30th annual report was read by the hon secretary, and adopted. «• • The annual balance-sheet showed receipts to be £1078 15s Bd, and expenditure £497 0s 9d, leaving a credit balance of £581 14s lid ; the liabilities were estimated at £236 ss, and the assets at £719 5s 7d. ' * - - • " . ' •

Captain. Bellrinser (New Plymouth), in moving the adoption of the balance-sheet, congratulated the association upon its excellent financial position. In his opinion the time had arrived when the association should earmark a sum of money annually to be placed in a contingent fund, which should te available in an emergency. The motion was seconded by Superintendent J. Smith ißangiora) and carried.

OTHER MATTERS. The president announced that lie had ken the liberty of asking Captain Hugo (the Government fire inspector), who was present, to give a *hort address on fire boards, and he had consented to do so at nine o'clock the following morning. Foreman W. H. Tubb (Timaru) moved, and Superintendent J. Fenton (Grey Lynn) seconded pro forma, " That the gold star be presented for 21 years' service instead of 25." Lieutenant Linder Green (Hastings Fire Police) moved as an amendment, "That a new medal for 21 years' service be struck, and that the cost be borne by the brigade to which the recipient belongs, or by the fire board under whose jurisdiction he is." This' was seconded by ex-Superintendent Smith (Christchurch), but lost, the motion sharing the same fate. Branchman A. Randall (Patea) proposed, and Fireman E. G. McEwan (Maslerton) seconded, That all service bars be applied for in the same manner as longservice medals, the years they represent to be engraved on thorn, and a record of those issued, and to whom, to bo kept by the association."

' The association secretary, Mr. J. G. Gilberd, said the matter had been before the annual conference several times. A great deal of time and trouble had ensued in chocking the bars. The matter hud always been left to the honour of the brigades, who would see that no man got a. bar unless he was entitled to it.

The motion was lost, as was also a motion to pay the judges acting at all demonstrations.

At 'six p.m. the conference adjourned until nine o'clock this morning.