FIRE POLICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8558, 22 October 1913, Page 4

FIRE POLICE

ANNUAL MEETING A PLEA FOR SUBSTANTIAL RECOGNITION. The Wellington Volunteer Fire Police held their annual meeting at tho Town Hall last evening. The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) presided over an attendance of about twenty, including Superintendent Tait, of the Municipal Firo Brigade. Tho first business was the swearingin of members, who took the customary oath to assist His Majesty’s police in protecting property in times of fire. BETTER RECOGNITION WANTED. ’The Mayor congratulated the corps on another .successful year, and said the citizens owed them a considerable debt for the work they had put ill. There had not been many (ires, but at those which had occurred the members had turned out very readily. He congratulated thorn on behalf of the city, and referred also to the spirit of unity existing between tho fire police and firo brigade. If the city had to pay for everything that was done by institution such as this, it would not only b« a drain nn the finance.;, but would militate against tho volunteer spirit and the proper ideals of the organisation- Tho corps should elicit the interest of tho Underwriters’ Association and the insurance companies. Ho wanted to emphasis® with all good feeling that it was tho duty of these organisations to recognise the value of tho fire police in an adequate manA "WILLING BAND. Captain Wright, in responding, thanked tho Mayor for his kindly remarks. He said tb« members took their duties as a pleasure, and if there were ever a larger call on them,-he did not think there was a man who would not respond. H© mentioned the consideration shown the corps by Superintendent Talk, who had helped them in every possible direction. Superintendent Tait also; responded, and in doing so said that if the Insurance companies did not know the value of tho fir© police, ho certainly did, and appreciated their co-opera-tion. Any one who saw men of the ages of Messrs Cohen and Ballinger turning out to fires in all weathers must recognise their worth. Ho thought that - tho societies affected_ might do something more to materially assist the body. OFFICERS. Officers for the ensuing jpoar were elected as follows Captain, Mr J. Wright; lieutenants, Messrs T. Ballinger, A. Asher, J. C. Cusack, and J. A. Short; hon. treasurer, Mr F. Cohen; hon. secretary, Mr E. Von Bernowitz; hon. auditors, Messrs It. W. Brown and 0. Baker. Mr Cohen spoke in high terms of tha management of the fire department by Superintendent Tait, who. since occupying that position, had done wonders in the administration of the brigade’s affairs, and to whom the whole of the citizens were indebted. Mr J. Doyle referred to Superintendent Tait as an example of the local product, and a proof that New Zealanders were qualified to fill important positions. Some discussion ensued regarding the position of members who had joined at the inception of tho corps in 1899. The original members still remaining were Captain "Wright, Lieutenants T. Ballinger and A. Asher, Treasurer F. Cohen, and Mr W. T. Hildreth. Some time ago it was resolved to award a gold medal for seven years’ service; in addition, these men are entitled to a fourteen years’ certificate. Tho question was considered as to whether the certificates should be given by the brigade or tho city, and it was suggested that they Should com© from the municipality. Tho Mayor promised to confer with tho fire brigade committee and see if they would take action.