FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4292, 27 February 1901, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE

PBESS ASSOCIATION. 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 iincoming executive. The report of the committee appointed to inquire! into the Fire Brigades Bill was brought up by Secretary Romms (Hawera), who stated that the taxation proposals should be adjusted, so that the Government should be left out of consideration altogether, the taxes to be levied partly on insurance companies and partly on local bodies. Superintendent Smith (Christchurch) seconded the motion for the adoption of the -report. Captain Michel! (Hokitika) thought it unfair that the Govcnimuit should be left out ef the taxation proposals.' . Secretary Martin (Gore) thought the Government should take up the matter of State fire insurance. The motion was carried; and Secretary ' Robbins and Lieutenant Baker (Gore) were appointed to wait on the Government in regard to the Bill. It was reported that Captain Micbell (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 hold the next conference at those places. A ballot was taken, and resulted in favour of Hokitika.

' The following officers were elected: President, Lieutenant W. Baker, Gore; vice-presidents, Captain Washer, Roslyn, and Secretary Walton, Hokitika; secretary aiid treasurer'. Superintendent Gilbert!, Napier; auditor,- Mr Garner, Nanier.

It was resolved to pay the usual subsidy of £35 to thei “New Zealand Fire and Ambulance Record," the understand-ing-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. was reported that since the society was formed in 1892 £1065 4s lOd 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 anjf giember 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 week for a term not exceeding twenty weeks. On any brigade which is in arreiars 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, Napicsr; auditors, Messrs T; W. Garner and W. Hodgson, Napier. .