FIRE BRIGADE CAPTAINCY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7776, 7 May 1886, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE CAPTAINCY.

At lost night's meeting of the City Cnancil, Messrs J. lib Evans, A. McDonald, and Moliood (Waddell, McLeod, and Weir), waited on the .Council and presented a memorial with reference to tho rucommendation of tho Public Works Committee, that Mr R. A. Page thoull be appoioted Captain of tho Wellington Fire Brigade, The memorial sot forth that Mr Wbiteford, the present Superintendent of the brigade, had been one of the moat energetic promoters of the brigade originally, and alluded to the great, aarvioea done by him to the city as n member of the brigade. Daring his term of office only two extensive fires hod taken place—one at the Opera House, and the receot fire on Lambtonquay, Tho memorialists presumed that complaints in the papers at the time of the lastmentioned fire, written by people who did not understand tbs matter, had influenced the Committee}n its decision, and they bogged; therefore to state their entire confidence; In Me Wbiteford’* hondnet in the exercise of; the duties that bad devolved npon him. It was pointed out that even in London fires occasionally happened which baffled all endeavors -to put them down. The memorial also pointed out that many fires had been nipped in the bud through tho skill, energy, and promptitude of Mr Wbiteford \ and the memorialists expressed an opinion that injustice would be done to the city if a stranger was now appointed. It was hoped that the matter would be reconsidered by the Public Works Committee. The memorial was signed by 50 persons, and Mr Evans said they had been obtained with case that day—many more co uid have been obtained. Mr Evans said he was an old member of tho Fite Brigade. Ho pointed out that Mr Whitoford had for 15 out of 19 years acted as a volunteer, and took no pay, and latterly had only had a email salary. It seemed rather hard now that an old servant should be thrown aside when the salary was increased in favor of a new one. It was one of those cases, he added, in which, no doubt, “ better the devil we do know than the devil wa don’t know.” (Laughter.) Messrs McDonald and McLeod added a few words In corroboration of what Mr Evans had said, and the deputation withdrew. The aubjeot came up later on in the following clause in the Public Works Committee's report That Mr K. A. Page be appointed captain of, the Fire Brigade. Councillor Wilson moved that the clause be referred back. Councillor Coomba seconded the motion. Councillor Benr ici asked whether the de. pu'atioa came in the interests of one man or to protest against the appointment proposed. The Mayor sifid : In the interest of Captain Wbiteford.

The amendment, being put, was lost by 8 to 4, and tho clause as it stood was adopted. The time at which Me Page should enter on bis duties was fixed at the Ist of June.