DEVONPORT FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16279, 12 July 1916, Page 9

DEVONPORT FIRE BRIGADE.

I QUESTION OF AUTHORITY. DIFFERENCE WITH COUNCIL. j The differences which have arisen bej tween the Devonport Borough Council and the Devonport Fire Brigade on the quesI tion of authority, weie brought up at the : meeting of the council last evening, when I a letter on the subject was received from j the fire, brigade. j The conn, il had taken exception to the brigade's action in electing a new capI tain, maintaining that the appointment i ', of that officer rested with the council, and ; that he held the position indefinitely at ! i the joint will of the uouncil and the ' • brigade. With a view to effecting a I : settlement, the council requested Captain i. Hugo, (iovernment fire brigade inspector, I to inquire into the organisation and work-j ' ■' ing of the brigade generally, and into the . question as to whether the brigade has j ' ■ not become disorganised. ' i At a meeting in committee on July 4, j , ! a deputation was received from the . ; hrigad'-, explaining its views on I ' , the. position. After discussion, the j i deputation was requested to submit ia. recommendation to the brigade ! j that the members, including officers, agree . to be enrolled for three months on cendii tion that Captain Miller take three months' . ! leave of absence, and that Lieutenant ' i Folios be appointed a< ting-captain for that ■ ; period. The letter received last night was ■ a. reply to the council's recommendation. | In this letter, members of the brigade; i pledged themselves to do their duty to < the ratepayers and to the council, but. in i view- of the inquiry by Inspector Hugo, i they did not deem it advisable to bind , themselves at present. j i The inquiry will he conducted bv In- ! ; spec tor Hiiiro at the Borough Council! ■ chambers to-night. i i "~ -— I