FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 26

FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE.

(per tress association.) Auckland, Maroh 24. The annual Conference in connection with the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand was opened to-day in the Oddfellow’s Hall, Cook street, Lieutenant E. Smith, of Chrißtchurcb, President of the Association, being in the °kair. Superintendent Hughes, on behalf of the Auckland and Suburban Fire Brigades, welcorned the visitors. The roll was then called, and showed that there were 75 delegates present, and that four others were represented by proxy. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr Upton, who was present at the opening of the meeting, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the citizens of Auckland, and said be was quite sure the Lonference could not but redound to the good of the work of the Fire Brigades. The annual balance-sheet showed a sum *° ° £233 14s lOd, or an increase of £53 during the year. There was a good deal of discussion on the motion by the Secretary, Mr Ainswoith, of New Plymouth, “That this Conference strongly ;disapproves of the action of the Association in deciding to hold the annual conference in Auckland in the face of the invitation from New to hold the demonstration there, and that it be an instruction to future Executives that invitations to hold the demonstration shall have preference.” He said the Taranaki Jubilee Committee had been anxious tnat the Conference should be held at New Plymouth, and were prepared to sup-

port a Jubilee Brigade Demonstration there to the extent of £2OO. Several speakers. whilst expressing sympathy with the New Plymouth Brigade, supported the Executive. Eventually the motion was lost. A clause in the annual report deprecated the action of the New Plymouth Brigade in sending circulars to other Brigades on this subject, and suggested that in future competitions should only be held in alternate year 3 in order that the conferences might be held when the demonstrations could not be. The report was adopted. It was decided to present a valour medal to Fireman T. E. Thompson, of Wanganui, for saving the lives of two children at a fire on the 24th March, 1890 ; and the Hon J. Ballanoe is to be asked to make the presentation. The Conference decided that Salvage Corps should not be admitted to the Association. An application from the Wellington Fire Brigade for a long service medal for George Taylor, was granted. Auckland, Marcn24. The Fire Brigade Conference discussed the Fire Brigades Bill at their meeting to-night, and instructed the Executive to take the necessary steps to introduce a Bill into Parliament at an early dato for the support of Fire Brigades by Government, the insurance companies, and the municipal bodies. Auckland, Maroh 25.

The Fire Brigade Conference closed its sittings to day. Lieutenant Smith was reelected president for the third term, and Sub-Superintendent Gilberd, of Napier, secretary. Captain Cummins was appointed delegate to the Municipal Conference at Wellington. A suggestion was made that a premium should be paid by members to form an accident insurance fund. The matter was referred to the Executive of the Asaociation. It was decided to hold the next conference at Christchurch. The visiting delegates were entertained with a trip round the harbour in the afternoon, and this evening at a banquet in the Academy of Music, Lome street.