FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 32

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

CHRISTCHURCH, February 25. The twenty-second annual conference of the United Fire Brigades opened this morning. Over 60 delegates were present, and Superintendent Tingey (Palmerston North), president o£the conference, occupied the chair. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr W. Reece) and Councillor Grav (chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee of the City Council) welcomed the firemen to Christchurch. The Executive reported that during the year the Arch Hill (Auckland) Brigade joined the association, and the Pahiatua Brigade had again affiliated. The association had had a fairly prosperous year, the assets being £238 19s 2d, as compared with £lB7 13s 2d for the previous year. It had been pointed out to the executive that some misunderstanding prevailed in regard to, the resolution of last year, granting leave to firemen who were on, duty in South Africa. It would recommend that all such . members should receive full credit for attendance in their respective' brigades while on active military duty. The executive said that it was pleased to . note the continued success of the Acci- !

dent . Society in connection with the association. Its membership was .how close on 1000. Although claims were paid during the year amounting to £62 15s, the funds increased by £lO7 14s lid, and the society new had a credit balance of £729 18s ‘Bd. Superintendent Gilberd (Napier) read a report which had been prepared by Superintendent Smith (Christchurch) and himself on their visit to the recant Paris Fire Congress. It was resolved to ask the Government to print and circulate the report. On the motion of Secretary Robbins (Hawera) it was resolved, “That, in order that the firemen of the colony may • make a better acquaintance with up-to-date fire brigade the association take into consideration the advisability of endeavouring to arrange for the holding of a- large exhibition of such appliances, say one year hence; also that the conference set up a committee to draft a scheme for such exhibition, and report to the conference before it closes/’ A motion by Branchman Souness (Caversham), to allow two years’ service by a messenger of a brigade after thd age of sixteen to count as one year towards the association’s certificate or medal, was lost. Another motion by Branchman Souness, to strike a small gold medal of the same value as the presdnfc five years’ service medal, was also lost. After a long discussion, during which several amendments were moved and rejected, a motion to grant permission to fire police and salvage corps to issue five-year service medals bearing the inscription, “U.F.B.A. of New Zealand,” the cost to be defrayed by the corps presenting them, was lost. Captain Butler (Eden Terrace) moved, “ That the association decide on some regulations as to the rank or title of chief officers of brigades, and suggest tliat for brigades of over twenty members the title ’be superintendent, and of under twenty members, captain; that second officers in brigades of over twenty members be lieutenants, and under twenty, foremen.” . The motion was lose. Fireman Hediy (Na.pier) moved, “That rule 1, competition conditions, be altered so as to allow a competitor who' lias had to get a substitute, through accident or illness, to resume his position in ibis team when able to do so. Judges may, if they consider it necessary, demand a medical certificate before reinstatement.” Lieutenant Martin (Napier Eire Police) seconded the motion, which was carried. Captain Pickering (Masterton) moved, “That on all firemen belonging to the association a- levy of Is per year be made, the sum so raised to be devoted to the demonstration prise fund.” Captain Williams (Waipawa) seconded the motion. Captain Michell (Hokitika) moved as an amendment, “That the rules be altered so that the annual subscription be 50s instead of 30s, and that £1 be placed to competition account, sum in it to be> available for subsidising comp editions.” The words “for subsidising prizemoney—£ for £—given bv committees for competitions under the auspices of the- association” were added to the amendment, and it was carried, the motion being withdrawn. On the motion of Secretary Walton (Greymoutb) it was resolved that in future all ex-presidents should be invited to the annual meetings. Superintendent Gilberd handed to the president the badge of the International Association of Fire Engineers, which that body at its conference at Charleston, South Carolina, had decided to present to the New Zealand president. The conference adjourned till the next day. CHRISTCHURCH, February 26. The Fire Brigade Conference resumed its sittings to-day. On the recommendation of a committee, which reported that the cost, would net exceed £IOO, it was resolved to hold an exhibition of fire appliances. The question of instituting an association badge was referred to the incoming executive. The report of the committee appointed to inquire into- the Fire Brigades Bill was brought up by Secretary Rod urns (Hawera), who stated that the taxation proposals should be adjusted, so that the Government should be left out of consideration altogether, the taxes to he levied partly on insurance companies and partly on local bodies.. Superintendent Smith (Christchurch) seconded the motion for the adoption of the report.. Captain Michell (Hokitika) thought it unfair that the Governmu.it should be left out of the taxation proposals. Secretary Martin (Gore) thought the Government should take up the matter of State fire insurance. The motion was carried; and Secretary Robbing and Lieutenant Baker (Gore) were appointed to wait on the Government in regard to the Bill. It was reported that Captain Michell (Hokitika), Fireman Wallace (Hokitika), Captain Blackwell (Kaiapoi) and Foreman Woolcott (Wellington) had earned gold stars for twenty-five years’ service. Invitations were! extended by the delegates from Hokitika and the Bluff to hgld the next conference at those places. A ballot was Taken, and resulted in favour of‘Hokitika. , .... '. ’ ’ yhe following officers were elected,; President, Lieutenant W. Baker, Goto;

vice-presidents, Captain Washer, Roslyn, and Secretary Walton, Hokitika : secretary and treasurer, Superintendent Gilberd, Napier; auditor, Mr Garner. Napier. It was resolved to pay the usual subsidy of £35 to thei “New Zealand Fire and Ambulance Record,” the understanding being that, unless the journal received 'better support it should be discontinued in June. Votes of thanks terminated the proceedings. The annual meeting of the Accident Insurance Society in connection with the association was then held. It warreported that since the society was formed in 1892 £1065 4s lOcl had been received in contributions, and £79 10s 4d in interest. The expenditure for benefits amounted to £362 2s. The credit balance was £729 18s Bd. It was decided that any member who meets with an accident while at practice or while going to, engaged at, or returning from a fire, should be entitled to an allowance of 30s a v/eek for a term not exceeding twenty weeks. On any brigade which is in arrears with its contributions to the society for every thirty days a penalty of 6d per member is to be inflicted. The following officers were elected :—President, Secretary Robbins, Hawera ; vicepresidents, Captain Pickering. Masterton, and Captain Keys, Mount Eden : secretary and treasurer, Superintendent Gilberd, Napier; auditors. Messrs T. W. Garner and W. liodgson, Napier.