THE FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 559, 16 August 1862, Page 4

THE FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.

According to announcement a very large and influential meeting was held at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday night, to take steps for the for mation of a Fire Brigade. The body of the room was crowded, and on the stage we noticed the following gentlemen — Messrs. Tt. B. Martin, Jl,J 1 , Moss, Havt, E. Casper, Nathan, Branigan, Switzer, and Mr Rattray, in the chair.

The Chairman shortly explained to the meeting the object of their having met together, and called upon Mr. Casper to propose the first resolution.

Mr. Casper stated that this large meeting had assembled to obtain some effectual remedy for the crying evil that existed. On three occasions of fires lately they had found themselves perfectly prostrate and incapable of rendering any effectual assistance, owing to the total want of the necessary appliances. It was a matter that might bo brought home to any one of them. A fire spared neither the rich nor the poor, and not only might they lose the fruits of years of industry and anxious toil, but what no money could purchase, the lives of those dearest to them. There was no lvce&sity to speak upon the subject, it was apparent, to all, and he was satisfied that if the matter were once put in train, the patriotism of all good citizens would be enlisted in the cause. It would, however, be necessary to obtaiu a proper supply of water, and with regard to that question, ho might mention that the Town Board now had power to act in the matter," and furnish a proper supply of water, as also to provide a sufficient establishment for extinguishing fires in the city. He then read paragraphs 39 and 43 from the Dnncdin Improvement Ordinance, 1862, as follows :— 39. It shall be lawful for the Board, and they are hereby authorised and required, to provide and have at all times a sufficient establishment of fire engines, pipes, anl appurtenances, to i>e use! f (< r extinguishiag fires within the limits of Dvii- ' ■> \i bsyond the same as hereinafter provide : i'-i. the B ..nit may wirl- .: " «i-nfc ') ta S ii>er"iif"' i Ir'ii'', pi'iv.'i •->" f in >U,a ji.< • i;> ■ / i ..••!.; ii < 0-- .iS .i\Y*"tK „ i<\ i uiujib,.s i\r i. \ p,. .ids ( .'ftli. i dice, u-t.l ' j'liv-re iru, a-u I £"i- ii, it jcHjt til • lj t.ii'd ma... v it)i s.ich approval and a i.-.nf, into contracts for the construction, laving down, and maintaining of suck works, matters "and things, aa shall be necessary and proper. Ho could state, on reliable authority (His Honor the Superintendent having informed Mr. Martin) that that power came into force on Wednesday last, and that the Town Board only required a vigorous application of the spur to be brought to use the power assigned to them. Mr. Stanley Tomlins came forward and observed that " union was strength." Mr. Alexander M'Leod, before that resolution was passed, desired to remove an erroneous impression that Mr. Casper entertained. It was a mistake; the Town Board at present had no power to organise a Fie Brigade, or supply water. The ordinance would not come into force ibr some months — until December.

Mr. Casper had ascertained upon the most reliable authority that the Ordinance in question had come into force on Wednesday. Mr. M'Leod said they would find themselves mistaken; if they formed a brigade they would liave to furnish that indispensable neces.'ary, water, themselves.

Mr. Kilgour said, be it as it might, he feared they would find it difficult to make ti-e present members of the Town Board stir in tli» matter. The present slow members wiild have to remain in office till December, when a fresh election would take place. Mr. Switzer corroborated Mr. Casper's statement, that the above power came into force ou Wednesday last.

Sir. Gasper then stated that he had great pleasure in bringing forward the following resolution :—": — " That the "vowing importance of this town, and the interests of all classes of its inhabitants, urgently demand the immediate establishment of a system for the protection of life and property from the ravages of tire." Mr. D. Adams seconded die lesoiution,' which was carried unanimously." Mr. F. Moss then cam^ forward and asked to propose the sueond resolutiun. After Mr, Casper's very able remarks, little or nothing was left for him to say. He would, therefore, at once propose, "That this meeting pledges itself to use its best efforts to support? the organisation and maintenance of a sufficient Volunteer Fire Brigade." Mr. Hay begged to make a few remarks previous to the resolution being carried, which were to the effect that a plant -would cost at the very least £12UO, and that it wns no use forming a Brigade till they had all the necessary appliances. Mr. Cooke said the previous speaker's remarks scarcely bore upon the present resolution, nor could they be entertained in the present state of the meeting _ If the committee pledged themselves to torn a Brigade, the ways and means would follow as a matter of course.

Mr. M'Leod then seconded Mr. Moss's resolution, wiuol] wns earned unanimously. Mr. Hart, in bringing forward the third resolution, addressed the meeting. With regard to the present question, all with, whom he, had spoken upon the subject had come forward cheerfully—in fact, considered it au honor to give the matter thoir hearty cooperation. He himself, in soliciting different people, had met with abundant promises, which he was satisfied would be fulfilled. The proprietor of t M rt ii m Iwhio}l1 whio}l the y were mefc - ufld offeted to, gi<-e JblOO towards tlie support of the movement. (Bnthusiasttc applause.) They could not 'Ml in carrying out* what they wished, if the poor men would follow the example of the rich, and , volunteer ■ their . 'Ser« vices.' .He then propped the' third ■ aa, follQjvs.L—" That.; the following- gentlemen, with- power, to add to their number, $jjm V com-. mittee for i^ie,purp>se : of procuring sultyttipftnß^ «nd otherwise catryjng out, the ob}eot/of tiua iu&tiag :>'

—llfcssrs. Eattray, Martin, F. Moss, E. Cooke, Reeves, M'Leod, H. E. Nathan, Camper, M'Landress, I>. Murphy, C. Rees, S. E. Jonea, J. Cargill, Switzer, Kilgour, Wright, Tickle, aud Halt." Mr. M'LandrPss seconded tlie resolution, wliic l7 was carried unimously. It was thtn proposed by Mr. Mnrtin, and se^ n(sed by Mr. A slier, and carried :—" That a da^tation wait upon his Honor the Superintendent. <i«d represent to him the necessity of wafctf-tanks being constmcted."

A gentleman, who-e name we were unable to ascertain, made the following proposition, which was seconded by Mi\ -Hay, and unanimously carried ; " lhat ;ts wa as fifty nciab°ys are enrolledj a meeting of sucli lnembore be called to frame their own regulation!,.''

A vote of thanks was most unanimrusly accorded to Mr. h. E. Joucs, the proprietor of the* Cumiaci cia'l ll<itel.

Ihe Chairman stated that as ? oon as the moetint;terminate*! the Committee would be happy to receive the names of all gentlemen who were desirous of volunteering their services.

The nipthn» tu.mi.iated with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

1 hoi o was thon a ppvfect rush of persons desirous of being cniollf d in tiV Volunteer F,n; Hri«.\de ; we can state that 49 members gave in their names.