OAMARU FIRE BRIGADE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1167, 13 January 1880, Page 2

OAMARU FIRE BRIGADE.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Oamaru Fire Brigade was held last evening. There were about 15 members present, and-Lieutenant Baker, in the absence of the Captain, took, the chair. The minutes of the last two meetings were read and confirmed.

Mr. Mainland reported that the managers of St. Paul's Church had given permission for the church bell being rung in the event of fire, provided that some responsible person was appointed to keep the key of the church. Mr. Bain, who resided near the church, had kindly undertaken to take charge of the key, and the bell could now be used for the purpose of giving the alarm of fire on calling-at Mr. Bain's residence. On the motion of Mr. T. Falconer votes of thanks were accorded to the managers of the church and Mr. Bain. Mr. Rowland reported that the sub-com-mittee appointed to take action with reference to the hook and ladder carriage had decided to order a new carriage from Messrs. Jack, Steel, and Hendry, as it was found that it would be cheaper to do so than to patch up the old one. Three new members were elected, and a fourth proposed for election. It was then mentioned that the Brigade was only one short of the required number of members.

A number of accounts were presented and ordered to stand over until next meeting, so that the balance-sheet might be audited, and the exact position of the Brigade ascertained. The adjourned discussion upon the subject of establishing a members' fund, for the relief of members who might meet with accidents at fires, was then taken up, several members taking part in it. Messrs. Falconer and Cockburn supported a pro--posal to call upon members to contribute Is ; a" week towards the fund, without pledging the Brigade to pay any stipulated sum weekly to any member hurt; while Mr. Mainland urged that the Brigade was not in such a perfect state of organisation as to warrant the initiation of the system, and suggested that it would be better to work along quietly for a time until they could see their way thoroughly clear in the matter. It was mentioned by the Secretary (Mr. R. Hamilton) that the whole of the entrance fees, which, it was contemplated by the rules, should be devoted to the members' fuud, had been swallowed up in the payment of the ordinary expenses of the Brigade, for the ' purchase of plant, &c. charges which should propei-ly have been met by public funds. It was ultimately decided to adopt Mr. Mainland's view of the matter, and consideration of the question was ordered to stand o.ver for six months. On the motion, of Mr., E. Rowland, seconded by Mr. H. B. Hook, the following retiring officers were re-elected : Captain, J. Sinclair; Lieutenant, R. Baker; Foreman of Hose, T. Falconer ; Foreman of Hook and Ladder, W. Newton; Treasurer, J. Hamilton; and Secretary, R. Hamilton. After a little discussion as to ways and means,,the Lieutenant and the Secretary were appointed to arrange for the purchase of canvas water-tank, provided the cost was not found to be too great. The:meeting then terminated.