FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1202, 15 March 1895, Page 36

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

Hokitika, March 11

The delegates for the Fire Brigade Conference "who journeyed overland reached here this morning, having experienced a very rough trip across the ranges. Both coaches were stuck up, and the occupants of one were forced to take shelter in a roadman’s hut on Friday nio’ht, being unable to reach the hotel. The other coach was delayed for 2i hours at Bealey. The remainder of the delegates came down by the Wainui to Greymouth bar on Friday, and being unable to enter, returned to Westport ; left there by the Grafton at 8 o’clock this morning and reached Greymouth to-night, when they came on by special train. The non-arrival of the delegates caused the postponement of the Conference imtil to-morrow morning, when business will be pushed on as rapidly as possible. The visitors are to be entertained at a public social to-morrow.

Hokitika, March 12,

The United Fire Brigades Association Conference was held at the Town Hall to-day, Mr Michel (president) in the chair, supported by the vice-presidents (Messrs Bobbins and Stewart). The secretary (Mr Gilberd) was also present, with fifty-two delegates. The Mayor of Hokitika wrote officially welcoming the delegates. The President, in his address, maintained that to the existence of the Association was responsible the great improvement in the efficiency of the brigades. The report of the executive showed that the Newmarket and Stratford Brigades and the Napier Fire Police had joined the Association. The assets showed a balance of- <£394, as against <£4ls for the previous year, the decrease being accounted for by the expenses of the Napier demonstration, the Government grant being exceeded by <£2l. The repoi't went on to refer to the dropping of the Fire Brigades Bill last Parliament, the Government refusing to take up the measure. The conditions under which police and salvage corps were permitted to join the Association were detailed, and the executive asked for approval c£ their action.. On the subject of ..free passes the report stated that the Minister for Bailways had informed the officers that the‘free pass system had been greatly abused, and that the Government had decided that all applications should go before the department and be considered on their merits. Becognising that the existence of the Association to a certain 1 extent depended on the retention of the free pass concession, the executive urged the delegates to use their influence with Parliamentary representatives to assist them to have the privilege reinstated. The flourishing state of the Accident Assurance Society was noted. Longservice gold star medals for 25 years’ service had been granted to Steins (Hoki-. tika) and Wimsett (Nelson), The report referred to the death of ex-Superintendent Bobinson (Dunedin), one of the founders of the Association, and its first secretary; also of Thakesby -(Port Chalmers), who died on duty at a fire on board the Mararoa. The balance-sheet was adopted. A motion by Mr Smith (Cnristchurch), admitting members to the Association from 18 years instead of 12, was carried. Mr Dunderdale (Palmerston) moved that the ambulance events do not count for the aggregate at the competitions. This was carried. Oh the motion of Mr Bobbins (Hawera) a committee was appointed to prepare a fire brigades’ drill manual. Mr Wilson (Hawera) moved that the penalties for .loose - joints, quarter turn or fraction, at the competition be struck out, but this was lost. The penalty for open lids, &c., was decreased to one second. On the casting vote of the chairman it was resolved that the prize-winners at the competitions be awarded certificates. It was resolved to revert to the old rule of five instead of seven years’ service.

A motion by Mr <3r ray (Napier) that protests must be lodged within half an hour, and another by Mr Keys. (Mount Eden) that brigades may form district teams for competition,'were lost. It was resolved to hold the next conference and demonstration at Christchurch. ■ A telegram .was received from Superintendent Hughes, Auckland, contradicting the statement that the Brigade allowed the Asylum to be destroyed and the water cut off to save a hotel. Messrs Weir and Keys detailed the circumstances on the night in question. Mr Smith (Christchurch) pointed out that the Brigade he was connected with saved .£BO,OOO worth of Government property when the Sunnyside Asylum w'as

endangered. s The President read a record report of the causes which led up to the destruction of the Auckland Asylum. It was resolved, in view of the charge made by the Government against the Brigade at Auckland, the Conference wished to place on record that no distinction between public and private property is recognised. The president, Lieutenant Smith, and the secretary were authorised to draft a letter to the Minister of Railways, setting out the position of the brigades’ funds, and asking for reconsideration of the freepass question. It was resolved that honorary members certificates be issued to past executive officers. The International Eire Insurance Association of America wrote, appointing the

secretary, Mr Gilberd, an honorary member. It was resolved that the secretary of the International Association be appointed an hon member of the New Zealand Association. Lieutenant George read a paper on the subject of an official organ of the Association being substituted for the Fire and Ambulance Becord. The paper was received with thanks. It was resolved to ask the Government to discontinue the charge for inspecting fire engine boilers. A long discussion ensued on the question of introducing the Fire Brigades Bill, the disagreement being, on the principle of raising the revenue, and eventually the proposal was negatived. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mr Bobbins (Hawera); vice-presidents, Messrs Stewart (Invercargill) and Bellringer (New Plymouth) ; secretary, Mr Gilberd (Napier). The visitors were entertained at a “ social ” in the Princess Theatre in the evening.