FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4291, 26 February 1901, Page 7

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

PRESS ASSOCIATION. j CHRISTCHURCH, February 25. | The twenty-second annual conference of the United Fire Brigades opened this morning. Over 60 delegates were present, and Superintendent Tingey (Pahnerston North), president of. 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 Accident Society in connection with the association. Its meimbershjip was n'Ow 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 creditbalance 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 Pire 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 appliances, 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 snob exhibition, and report to thet conference before it closes.""

A motion by Brauchman Soilness (Caversham), to allow two years’ service by a messenger of a brigade after the ago of sixteen to count as one year towards the association’s certificate or medal, was lostAnother motion by Brauchman Soilness, to strikq, a small gold medal of the same value as the preseiit five years’ sendee 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 semes medals hearing the ip-

I scription, "U.F.B.A. of New Zealand.'" 1 the cost to be defrayed by the corps : presenting them, was lost. I Captain Butler (Eden Terrace) mo-, ed, I ,: That the association decide on seme ! regulations as to the rank or title of 'chief officers of brigades, and suggest itKat for brigades of over twc.ity nir:nIbers the title be superintendent, iof under twenty members, oapL-ain; ithafc second officers in brigade; of over i twenty members be lieutenants, and under twentv, foremen." The motion was lost. " Fireman Hedly (Napier) moved, •''That ride 1, competition conditions, oe altered so as to allow a competitor who has had to get a substitute, through aooident or illness, to resume hUposition in his team when able to do .so. Judges may, if they consider it necessary, demand a medical ceruficate before reinstatement." Lieutoiv.mt Martin (Napier Fire Police) seconded 'he motion, which was carried.

Captain Pickering (Mastcrton) .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 prize fund.” Captain Williams (Waipawa) seconded tho motion. Captain Miohcll (Kokitika) moved as an amendment, ” That the rules be altered so that the annual subscription be SOs instead of -‘Id:;, and that £1 be placed to competition account, sum in it to bo. available lor subsidising competitions.” The -words “for subsidising prizemoney—£ for £—given by committees for competitions under the- auspices of the association” were added to the amendment, and it was earned, tne motion being withdrawn. On the motion of Secretary Sv'alton (Greymouth) it was resolved tbat_ m_ future all ex-presidents should be invited to the annual meetings. Superintendent Gilbercl handed to the president the badge of the Inter; national 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 fill the next dav.