UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 28

UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION.

— \ ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Morning Sitting. The twenty-sixth annual conference of the United Fire Brigades of New Zealand was held at the Choral Hail on Monday, Captain Winn, of Lawrence (president), occupying the chair, and being supported by Captain Battle (Wanganui) and Captain Toomey <Lyttelton) as vice-presidents, Past President Captain Washer (Roslyn), and Secretary J. G. Gilberd (Napier). The following delegates were present:— j Auckland City, Secretary Gasson (proxy) ; Auckland Railway, Captain Round; Alexandra, Captain Smith; Aroh Hill, Captain j Cowan ; Addington Railway, Fireman i Hean: Ashburton, Captain Barber; Blenheim, Captain Millar; Bluff, Captain Wug: Christchurch, Superintendent Smith; Caversham, Captain Foster; Christchurch Railway, Superintendent Bambery; Carterton, Captain Lumley; Cambridge, Eiranchtnan Court; Dunedin City, Foreman Salmon; Dunedin. Railway, Captain Wallace; Devonport, Secretary Gasson; Dannevirke, Captain Drinkwater ; Eltham, Fireman iWbiteford; Eastown, Captain Holland; Eden Terrace, Foreman Cooley; Fitzroy, Captain Griffiths; Feilding, Secretary Fitzgerald; Gore, Lieutenant Baker; Gisborne, foreman Neild; Geraldine, Captain O'Maliey; Grey Lynn, Secretary Thomas; Grey- | mouth, Fireman Garth; Hawera, Secretary j -Bobbins; Hastings, Fireman Nesbit; Hokitika, Lieutenant Thompson ; Hamilton, lieutenant Burgess; Hillside Railway, Captain Wilkins; Invercargill, Fireman Wells; laglewood, Captain Taylor; Kaiapoi, Foreman Mealings ; Kumara, Secretary Rugg ; •Karangahafce, Fireman O'Keefe; Levin, Captain Leonard; Lyttelton, Captain Toomey; Lawrence, Fireman Blackwood; Marton, Fireman Murray; Milton, Captain Jsing ; Masterton, Captain Jenkins ; Mount .Eden, Secretary Wellerton; Masterton Fire Police, Secretary Lewis ; Nelson, Fireman Durbridge ; New Plymouth, Captain Bellringer; Napier, Fireman Minett; Newmarket, Fireman Smith; Napier Fire Police,. Captain Eagleton; Naseby, Secretary Kirby; Napier Railway, Captain Dickenson; Oamaru, Captain Mainland; Onehunga, Fireman Fisher; Patea, Lieutenant Adams ; Paeroa, Secretary Brenan ; Pal•toeiston North, Foreman Barnarct; Parnell, iDaptain Cowan ; Petone, Fireman Ryder ; iPetone Railway, Fireman Yanks; Port Chalmers, Captain Smith; Queenstown, jfjieutenant M'Connochie; Ross, Captain IFord ; Rangiora, Superintendent Smith ; jßichmond, Fireman C. Cross ; Roslyn, Secretary Sinclair; Reefton, Secretary Walton ■ '{proxy) ; South Dunedin, Captain Price ; Stratford, Captain Kivell ; Sumner, Lieutenant Bainford ; Southbrcok, Foreman Parker ; Spit, Superintendent Lucas ; St. UGlda, Fireman ,-Summerell ; Timaru, Secretary Hilton; Thames, Treasurer Pratt; Captain Henry ; Timaru Railway, Captain Burke; Te Aroha, Branehman "Maxwell; Wanganuijv. Foreman Perrett; JWaihi, Captain^ Brown"; Westpdrt, Captain Hansen ; Waimate, Captain Sinclair ; Waipawa, Foreman Collett; Waitekauri, Secretary, Corbett ; Branohman Pease ; , jWhangarei, Superintendent Chissell. The President, in opening the conference briefly, said, it afforded him great pleasure to welcome those present to the twentysixth annual conference of the Association, and he was pleased to see so many old friends. The presence of the old hands proved that they took an interest in the association, and that was one of the things that helped the association along. He was also 'pleased to see so many young men present, for the association was always in need of new blood, and must be kept built ■up. He trusted the business .to be put l>efore the conference that day would receive all the attention it demanded, and would be got through expeditiously, and that they would be able to look back on good work done at that conference.* He liad been asked to impress, especially on young members, the necessity for firemen taking part in every function arranged by the committee, and in full uniform. A telegram was received from the Hon. J. Carroll (Wellington) to the effect that he fiad posted to the secretary (Mr Gilberd) 300 copies of the proposed Fire Brigades 2111, whioh he would be safely re«eived. Being specially interested in the matter "to be discussed by the conference, lie should have liked to be present, but . important engagements in the north prevented this. He trusted the deliberations of the conference would bear good fruit, and' pave the way for effective legislation that would not only improve the status of the brigades, but would put them in a position to carry on their important work more jsfficiently and with better results.— The jommunication was received with satisfaction. WELCOME BY THE MAYOR.. - The conference adjourned at 10 a.m., and Captain Mitchell, of the City Fire Brigade, introduced to the president and the conference his Worship the Mayor (Mr T. R. Christie), Cr Loudon, Messrs A. E. Tapper, J. F. Kirby, J. A. Park, E. D. Grace (representing the Demonstration Committee), and Mr J. F. Arnold, M.H.R. The Mayor addressed the conference in th^ following terms:— l have very much pleasure in welcoming you to the- City of Dunedin, and I trust that your sojourn with us here "may be of a pleasant character. The various teams here represented have come amongst us for the purpose of competing for the prizes which are offered for the various events, and whilst no doubt hopeful of the success of the teams which represent the districts or centres we may belong to, we nevertheless, as true men, are only anxious that the best teams may win, and that no inferior team may secure advantage through a measure of luck, which sometimes occurs. The fire brigades and firemen generally are, in my opinion, not fully 'recognised for the great benefits they secure to the respective cities and towns they belong to.— ("Hear, hear.") The amount of time and attention that is given to the service is not suitably recognised, as was said in a leading article in one of our city papers the other evening. The attention pi the people was centred upon the army and the navy, and firemen were not so much in, . evidence as they justly merited. When it is considered that firemen give their serVices without fee or reward in many in■tances, and in others a remuneration is given which cannot be termed of a generous character, it is surprising that we have men who lay themselves out to qualify for tho fire brigade work, which entails so mucc\ time and seJf-ts.crifi.ee. Fuxtaer. when

we hear of the amount of heroism which is so often exhibited by members of the brigades, the wonder is that greater interest and support are not given to this most necessary body and factor in our city hfe^ The ungrudging time and work given by the brigades should be requited by those most interested — viz., the cities and boroughs, the insurance companies, and the Government — and it is to be hoped that ere long legislation will be enacted by which a fuller recognition and remuneration will be given for the services you firemen so nobly render to the security of the lives, homes, and property of the people. — (Appkuise.) No doubt there is a great amount of pleasure attached to being a member of an up-to-date fire brigade. Many a time a thrill has passed through me on seeing tho manner in which the firemen dash to their work, fighting the enemy inch by inch ; and I again say that adequate Remuneration and recognition should be given to tho brigades, and that Government should take the matter up eeriousiy, and put the fire brigades in the position they are so justly entitled to. In other civic departments we are generous ; and why not in a department such as the fire brigade ? We are continuously a<ffirming the principle that we do not want anything for nothing in the corporation — that we are prepared to pay for services rendered and a fair price for goods received ; and this is so far correct, with the one exception — the fire brigade and its work. In this connection there are other factors which enter and to some extent influence the question. We have the insurance companies, who reap the advantage of having up-to-date brigades. Thea*e is also the Government, whose property and rateable values are also protected by the. fire brigades; and it is unfair and unjust that the various corporations should be- looked to to provide and equip the brigades afc their sole expense. The scheme that is being considered to make all three contribute to the support of the brigades enlists my sympathies, and. I trust, will ere long become law. It would be unfitting if I did not mention the great amount of work undertaken and carried out by the ladies, who have worked so well and been so successful in helping to raise the necessary funds. In conclusion, Jet me again welcome you to Dunedin, and I trust you will have a pleasant time amongst us. — (Applause.) Mr Tapper, in endorsing the Mayor's welcome, spoke a few words as to the value of firemen's work. The people throughout New Zealand went to rest nightly in the full assurance that an efficient body of men was always ready to turn out on the cry of "Fire."

Cr Loudon remarked that the local firemen had worked very hard to. make this demonstration successful. ' Mr J. A. Park congratulated the brigades on the display they had made on parade the previous clay, and said he and Mr Burlinson (the marshalls) had never handled a bettor company of men. He congratulated the officers in charge of the different teams on the discipline shown by the men. — (Applause.) Mr Kirby was then called upon to speak his Worship, wJio said he had done a tremendous amount of work in respect to the demonstration. Mr Kirby extended a very hearty welcome to the visitors on behalf of the committee, all of whocn, he said, had been workers from the start to the finish, especially the firemen of the city. 'As .for the ladies,^ but for their efforts they could not have be«n in their present financial position. — (Applause.)

Mr Arnold said those who had already spoken represented those who had been doing the real work. However, on behalf of those who represented the city in Parliament lie wished to welcome members to Dunedin. He hoped one of the questions j they would have under discussion would be i the. Fire Brigades Bill that was before Pari liament last session, and he was in a position to state that that bill in an amended and more acceptable fo^m to fire brigades would bo brought clown next session and would be passed, and through that the brigades in the colony, with which he had always had great sympathy, would be placed in a better position financially and otherwise. In connection with the Dunedin function, the valuable work done by the suburban fire brigades must not be overlooked. — (Applause.) The President briefly returned thanks for the hearty welcome extended. They had heard of Dunedin hospitality, but it had none the less astonished them. They had a record attendance here of firemen for the colony at this dmonstration, and they had a record programme of entertainments — a record as to competitions and a record in prize money. All they now wanted was fine weather, and he had no doubt this conference- and demonstration would surpass in success all previous functions of the kind. — (Applause.) The Mayor stated that as the .esult of the previous day's concert the Hospital funds would benefit to the < xtent of nearly £200. Three cheers were given by the delegates for the Mayor and one for the Mayoress, and the business of the conference was then resumed. THE MfKTTAI. KErOKT. The annual report of the association was as follows : — The prospeiity of the association ig one of the pleasing* features of its operatious during the past ye-ar, and it affords vow executive much, pleasure to be able to make this announcement in its twenty-sixth, annual report, which, is now submitted for the consideration of delegates. During the year the following brigades joined the association : — x\lexandra.. Cambridge, Fitzroy, Hamilton, Addington, Axtckland, Hillside Napier, Petone, Timaru, the last six being brigades formed among railway employees. Ibe increase in the number of railway brigades is due to the generosity of the Government in paying entrance fee 3 and annual subscriptions to the association, enabling tliera to take advantage of the privileges obtainable by membership with the latter. Tho Gear Company's Brigade was struck off the roll since last annual nieet- | ing. Th.c membership of the association is now laager than at any previous time since its inception, the bi-igades affiliated totalling 92 t The- balance sheet shows that the funds of the association are in a healthy condition. Th-e year 1904 was commenced with, a credit balance of £404 7s lid, while the amount standing to the credit of the association at the end of the year totalled £409 14s 9d. In the list of asset 3 the sum of £66 10s 6d is stated to be due by. brigades for subscriptions, etc., but wo have to report that since the close of the year the greater portion of this money has been paid. With regard to tHe question of liabilities, your executive wishes to point out that steamer and coach, fares for this meeting will cost nearly £150 in excess of the subsidy granted by the G-overnmenf, and under these circumstances the association was unable to bear the cost of steamer fares for emergency men competing at tke demonstration. Tae expenses

in connection with the demonstration will result m a heavy drain, on the funds of the association, owing to the purchase of necessary plant. Entrance fees will, however, amount to about £30, and tli9 cost of the competitions will be further lessoned by the sale of the competition plant. At the Te Arolia conference arrangements were completed for a team to represent this colony at the Geelone demonstration. The members of the team subsequently assembled in Dunedin and proceeded to their destination. Owing to the fact, however, that the conditions under which the competitions were he'd were different to those obtaining in New Zealand, our representatives were not as successful as anticipated, although they acquitted themselves creditably. The New Zoalanders received a very hearty welcome on their arrival in Atistralia. and (hiring their stay there were most hopitably entertained, particularly by the Ballarat, Chiltern, and Corowa Brigades. The proposed legislation affecting the constitution of fire brigades was advanced a further stage during the past year. Although this legislation has not yet been placed upon the Statute Book, still brigades are more in agreement us to the nature of the bill they require, and there is every probability that a suitable measure will become law during the forthcoming session. An amended bill was submitted to the House last session, and was referred to a Select Committee to report upon. A great deal of evidence was taken by the committee, resulting in further amendments being made to the bill. The discussion which toek place proved, however, that theie was considerable opposition, especially from local bodies, to the bill, ami the measure was eventual 1 ! 7 shelved. The executive of the association took steps to confer with, local bodies and members of the Houso in each district, with the object of ascertaining every objection urged against the bill. We trust each delegate has been fully instructed by his brigade as to its wishes on this important subject, and that each objection will be fully discussed by the conference. Delegates have no doubt noticed that in a recent speech in the Wairarapa the Premier announced that the Fire Brigades Bill would again be submitted to the House, but with "some minor alterations. With regard to the objections to the bill, your executive trusts that delegates will submit recommendations of a nature that will result in a measure being introduced in the House which will be acceptable to all sections interested in this question. During the year gold stars for 25 years' service have been foiwarded to brigades for presentation to the following members : — Captain Mainland and Foreman Rowland (Oamaru), Lieutenant Norris (Lyttelton), and Foreman Neal (Nelson). A gold star for secretary Scantlebury (of Reeftonj is to be presented at this meeting, and claims for members of the Hokitika and Kumara Brigades have been received. Your executive announces with deep regret the deaths during the past year of exPresident Harris (Christchurch) and Fireman Gladding (Auckland Fire Brigade), the latter being the son of ex-Superintendent Gladding. Mr Harris was the first president of this association, being elected in 1878, and holding office until 1882. He manifested a keen interest in the formation of the association, and spa.red no effort to advance its interests. Fireman Gladding's death was the result of injuries sustained at a fire in* Auckland. He bore his sufferings with great patience and fortitude, and his sad death, has once more emphasised the faot that conspicuous bravery^ 19 not entirely reserved for the battlefield, 15ut that firemen, in fighting the flames to prevent loss of lifo and property, freqtiently perform deeds of valour, which too seldom receive adeqiiate recognition. The absence of a merit board, showing delegates at a glance the list of gentlemen who have held the office of president since the- formation of the association, has been frequently commented upon. Duririig the year your executive has taken steps to supply this deficiency, and as the result of instructions issued, a siutable merit board has been prepared. The Accident Society, although its funds have been heavily taxed during the past year, maintains a sound financial position, which is a matter for congratulation. Those brigades that have not yet joined the society will find it profitable to study the annual report, and they may then deem it advisable to become affiliated with this extremely useful adjunct of our association. In conclusion, your executive desires to pl?ee on record its appieciation of the completeness of the arrangements made by the brigades and citizens of D'umedin for the reception and entertainment of vi&iting firemen, and' also for the liberal prize money allotted in connection with the competitions. The Dunedin people have always been noted for their splendid ho-s-pitality, and they are evidently determined that their reputation in this respect will not suffer on the present occasion. Secretary Robbins (Hawera), in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the executive on its completeness and excellence. The report showed that the association had had a year of steady progress and stood to-day in a better position, than ever. It was a matter for congratulation to every brigade through the colony that the association was in such a position, as it 'was, and it was gratifying to find so large a number of brigade* had joined the association for the first time. He felt that these brigades would find before long that they had done well in joining the association. As to the Fire Brigades Bill, any remarks on that would come later, and he hoped what the conference might say would have such force that at their next meeting they might congratulate themselves on having at last obtained their object and secured the enforcement of the bill. _ Superintendent Smith (Christchurch) seconded the motion, and tho report was adopted with the balance sheet. GENERAL BUSINESS. On behalf of the Gore V.F.B. Lieutenant Baker moved and Superintendent Lucas seconded — " That rule 7 (conditions of competition) as amended at the Te Aroha Conference of 1904 be rescinded, and that the rule as amended at the Napier Conference of 1903 and acted on at" the Napier demonstration and competition, 1903, be substituted" (which would allow a' quarter of an inch for the ooupling of a loose joint before a penalty was put on).— The - motion was lost by a large majority. On behalf of the Napier V.F.B. Foreman Minett moved and Captain Holland seconded — '' That tho clause referring to boots in conditions of competitions be' altered so as to allow ordinary walking boots or shoes to Be worn ; no running spikes or bars on sole allowed." — Secretary Robbins (Hawera) moved and Captain, Cowan (Parnell )seconded as an amendment — " That rule 8 be amended so as to strike out the following words after ' blucher * in the third line — viz., 'As per specification and plan issued by the association not prepared in any way with springs or otherwise, and the same pair of boots be worn throughout all events ' ; and that the word "* ordinary s bei placed in front of the word 'blqcher' In the third line, also that the ' Boots be made of kip."— The amendment was carried. On behalf of the Christchurch V.F.B. Captain Smith moved and Captain Henry (TemukaJ seconded— " Tha£ tlie grig-man.

manual be a standard event at all U.F.B.A. j demonstrations, the conditions to be as follow: — Man to start 20 yards from front of engine, in full uniform ; at signal given run to engine, lock fore-carriage, turn over, secure and unlock levers, connect one length of suction hose to engine (strainer to. bepreviously attached), connect to engine and run out 50ft of canvas hose and fix branch, run back to engine, and give ono stroke at levers. Delivery hose to be made up in coil and strapped, and, with branch detached, placed in body of engine ; suction to be inside pockets ; iuls closed, all caps on." — Tho motion was lost on being put to the conferf-nce.

On behalf of the Petone V.F.B. Fireman Ryder moved — " That line 3 of competition rule 7 (penalties), which reacts, ' Loose joints, one quarter-turn, or fraction of, add two seconds,' be deleted." — Captain Bellringer (New Plymouth) moved and Secretary Sinclair (Roslyn) seconded as an amendment — " That penalty for loose joints from a quarter-inch to half-inch be one second, and from half-inch to a quarter-turn be two seconds," and the amendment was carried. On behalf of the Palmerston V.F.B. Foreman Barnard moved and Foreman Whiteford seconded — " That, owing to the heavy drain on the U.F.B.A. funds by allowing all exprcsidents the privilege of attending conferences, in future only the immediate pastpresident of the a.-^sociation ba allowed expenses for attending the conference," but on being put to the meeting the motion was lost by a very large majority. Captain Eaeleton (Napier Fire Police) moved and Captain Cowen (Devonport) seconded — "That the previous resolution admitting fire police and salvage 'corps under certain restrictions be rescinded, and that they be admitted to all privileges of the association (except as to long-service medals, already agreed upon)." and the motion was carried, after some discussion, by a considerable majority. Captain Foster (Caversham) moved and Captain Tocnvy (Lyttelton) seconded— " That the association should adopt a uniform for members, which should be adhered to by all brigades." — The motion j was lost. The conference adjourned at 12.30. Afternoon Sitting. The Secretary slated that the only brigades not represented out of the 92 belonging to the association were seven in number — namely : Akaroa, Greytown, Invercargill Railway, Pahiatua, Wellington, Taihape, and Auckland (represented by proxy). A letter fiom Mr Parsons, of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Insurance Company, was read, in which portion of a letter from the chairman of the British Fire Prevention Committee that referred to tho advisability of forming in New Zealand a email section of the committee with its own local management was quoted.— The committee set up to consider the question reported that the time was opportune for establishing a New Zealand section of tho British Fire Prevention Committee, and^ it was confident that the matter would receive the unanimous support .of the association. — The report . was . unanimously adopted. A telegram from Sir Joseph Ward to Mr Tapper (chairman of the Demonstration Committee) was read, in which Sir Joseph stated he would arrange to be present at the smoke concert of the association on Friday evening and present the prizes. — The intimation was received with applause. Captain Toomey, Captain Smith, and Foreman Salmon were appointed judges to examine boots of competitors. A letter from the Hospital Trustees thanking the association for the handsome donation towards the Hospital fluids as a result of Sunday afternoon's function was received. Captain Bellringer moved that the conference recommend the incoming executive t> take into consideration the advisability of retaining one set of competition plant to be forwarded to the town in which the demonstration was to be held, for practice purposes, but the motion was lost. — The Secretary stated that this demonstration would cost the association nearly £300 for plant, and it was quite possible they might lose £30 (over and above entrance fees) on the sale of the plant. The Secretary read a paper by Superintendent E. Smith (Christchurch) dealing with the " Responsibilities of Delegates," in which paper the writer embodied much interesting and instructive matter as the result of 26 years' experience.— Oh the motion of Captain Toomey a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Superintendent Smith. THE FIRE BRIGADES BILL Discussion of the Fire Brigades' Draft Bill, copies of which were distributed to the delegates, was introduced by the Secretary's reading of circulars on the subject issued by tho Lyttelton and Masterton Borough Councils. Secretary Robbins (Hawera) spoke at length on the bill. He said that when at Te Aroha last year they thought they were on the eve of accomplishing their object. They were assured that a bill had been prepared, and that there was practically nothing to prevent its being put on the statutes of the colony, but unfortunately they were now in very much the same position as then. Their bill, it was true, came before the House, but it was relegated to a committee, and thatrcommittoe took a very long time in its deliberations, and took a considerable amount of evidence. A number of representatives at last year's Municipal Conference gave evidence before it, and representatives of the insurance companies did likewise. Tho committee redrafted the bill in some particulars, and when the bill came before the House there was a howl of indignation from several municipalities. The Minister in charge of the bill then reverted to the original clauses of the bill, the recommendations of the committee being struck out. There was then brought before the House the original bill brought down in the early stages of the session, and it passed its second reading, but a number of members in the House took exception to it, the only reason they gave being that they had been instructed by the local bodies to object to the bi'l. The result was that the bill was shelved. It was peculiar that the representatives of the people of the colony were unable to deal with a simple matter such as this bill, in respect to which the association had been striving for the past 25 years. The chief object of the majority of the local bodies had, after a.U. been that of the association also — namely, to ensure that those who benefitted by the services of the firemen of the colony should have to maintain those services. The speaker then went on to refer to some of the clauses of the draft , bill, and said he was quite prepared to J agree to the bill a§ it was now before them. '

Thoy could r.ot expect to get a perfect bill all at once : the main thing was to get their bill on tho Statute Book, and to get iti into operation. If there wore found anything wiong it could be shortly set right. The members of the House of Representa* tiv-es, the insurance companies, and the Government were looking for an expression: of opinion on this bill from the association^ Under one of the clauses of the bill iB wou'cl be noticed that after the boards were constituted, and year by year, they hadl to make up their estimates, which had to be submitted to the Minister, who had et direct right of veto in respect to these. This he did not approve of, as the Government was not paying an) thing towards these estimates. If they should be submitted to anyone it should be to the different bodies that elected the board, and i£ they came fo a deadlock, then the estimatef might be submitted to the Minister for arbitration. That was the only part of the bil?. he thought, the municipal authorities could take objection to. Again, every year tho balance sheet and report were to be submitted to Parliament, and that he could not see the reason for. Let them place thg> fire service of the colony on a proper footing, and take away the anxiety of finding money for its proper maintenance, and they would have one of the finest services in the world. Captain Bellringer suggested that the evidence of tho association's representatives before the Parliamentary Committee be read, and asked if the executive of the association had been divided as to the billThe Secretary said there was a division of opinion, but it was not known till after the evidence was given. The President said he understood that when they left Te Aroha they were all of one mind as to the bill. Captain Mainland (Oamaru) said the borough he represented favoured the bill. I Captain Battle said he viewed with ! anxiety anything that made it possible to cause the abolition of volunteer fire brigades, j He thought something should bo inserted in the bill to strengthen the hands of volunteer brigades. In small communities volunteer brigades were a necessity, • and from a thousand people or so enough money could not possibly be got to supporfa a bridage. It fostered a better spirit to have a volunteer brigade rather than v* force every community to have a paid brigade. The Secretary (Mr Gilberd) said he had not been carefully through the bill, but her took it that it would be stiJl quite open to the boards to make arrangements for volunteer fire brigades, and it was not likely ay board would pay away about £1000 a year for services that it could get for £200. A good deal of objection had been raised as to the idea of large districts for the boards., but after visiting Geelong- he had come to the conclusion that there was nothing whatever in that objection. If the board districts were small he had no doubt that in a short time the expense of the management of many of them would cause an amendment in the shape of one board for the North Island and another for the South Island. If the treatment of the brigades during the past 25 years conic! not kill the volunteer spirit, the establishment of a< board would never kill it. Brigades would get more consideration from the boards than ever they had from the local bodies. Captain Cowen (Pamell) quite agreed with> the last speaker's remarks. He thought one- board for each centre, would work splendidly. Captain Drinkwater (Dannevirke) thought; they all favoured the bill, and should not interfere with it in any shape or form. Secretary T. Robbins moved — " That this association approves of the draft Fire Brigades Bill with the exception of clause 10." He strongly approved of the larger area for ih& boards. The Secretary thought it almost a pity any exception such as this should be taken. The Government did_ contribute something, for it appointed two inspectors, whioh would mean £700 or £800 a year. If Parliament were satisfied this clause .should not bo there it would be deleted. Secretary Robbins said the boards would have no control over these inspectors. Captain Miller (Blenheim) thought brigades and local bodies might confer. They would have a very uphill fight if they had the councils against them. The President said he thought the objecting councils were in a iniaority. Captain Toomey said most of the objections to the bill had been removed. Captain Mitchell said he had been an opponent of the bill till Secretary Robbing i and others had converted him. Many of j the councillors thioug'io'it the colony were ; shareholders in the insurance companies, and it was no use referring the bill to the ! municipal bodies. Secretary Martin said the Municipal Conference had for years approved of this bill, but what had kept them quiet; was the fact that a lar'-e number of represen- : tatives were shareholders in insurance companies. However, now thoy had to toe the mark, he believed the result would bo a bill that would be a credit to the colony. A lai-ge number of municipalities in the colony had no brigade at all, and if this bill gave every community a brigade it would be doing much. He had noticed recently brigade" appealing to oilier brigades for h&lp. which was a miserable state of affairs and reflected on the local bodj-. Captain Michel thought _ the draft bilfi should meet the unhesitating approval o£ the conference. Ho was certainly in favour of large areas for the boards, and as to the bill, there was no use in having any division of opinion as to details. If town clerks understood the position they would not object to the placing of the water supply control in the hands cf brigade superintendents. It was gratifying now to have tha co-operation of many brigades (who hacl opposed the bill formerly), which had beeni previously largely assisted "by the insurance} companies, \iho hadi now withdrawn thati siippoa-t. Mr Arnokl, M.H.R.. who addressed tho conference at tho invitation of the president, said the bill was new to him. He} need not vecaoitulate as to what took place< in regard to the bills before Parliament; previouslj'. The bill now bpforc them was a. draft copy of a proposed bill. This would probably bo introduced in the first weeks of next session, and it would he dealt with precisely as the bill introduced last session had been — that is, sent to a Fire Brigades,' Committee. Evidence would be taken again, and the resolution the conference might be pleased to pass should bo backed up by representatives of the association gi\ing evidence before that committee. If wise., tho association would therefcue pa^s that afternoon a resolution that would not lv'ncl them down to every word in tho bill. Ho would not go iuto the merits or demerit*

©f the bill, for the association understood its own requirements. Provided they had all they wanted they need not worry as to the objections of the imrnicipalities or of the insurance companies. In his own opinion, and in the opinion of those striving to get a suitable bill through Parliament, the fireman was worthy of his hire, and should be en-ooura-ged in a substantial manner and supported by those receiving the benefits of his labours. The great difficulty in respect to the municipalities, of course, lay in the fact that people feared that the rates would he increased, and that insurance rates would be increased — and, of course, they would, — but the insurance companies would be always restricted by the State Fire Insurance. He did not think any exception need be taken to the plaoing of the balance sheet before Parliament every year, as it was merely a precautionary measure, and criticism was not likely to take place. He hardly thought it would be wise for the association to express itself as opposed to clause 10, when they did not know definitely the mind of the Minister. The Minister might desire to increase the estimate, and not necessarily to cut it down. A wise resolution would, to his mind, be a general one approving of the bill. Secretary Robbins agreed to withdraw the latter part of his resolution, and moved — *' That this United Fire Brigades' Association, in conference approves generally of the draft Fire Brigades Bill," and the motion -was put to the meeting and carried without dissent, amid applause. On the motion of Secretary Robbins it was resolved that Messrs E. Smith, Winn, Mitchell, Baker, Gilberd, and the mover be appointed to wait on Sir Joseph "Ward and convey to him the opinion of the Fire Brigades' Association on the Fire Brigades Bill, and also to watch this bill in the future. On the motion of the President a hearty vote- of thanks and three cheers were accorded Mr Arnold, who, in replying, expressed his every desire to assist the association. THE NEXT CONFERENCE. Nelson and Temuka were proposed as suitable localities for the holding of the next conference, and, a vote being taken, Nelson was chosen by a large majority. ELECTION OF OFFICEBS. For the office of president for the ensuing year Captain Toomey (Lyttelton) and Captain Battle (Wanganui) were nominated, and a ballot resulted in thtj election of Captain Toomey ; Captains Bellringer (New Plymouth) and Battle were elected vice-presidents. Superintendent J. G. Gilberd was re-elected secretary, and Mr F. W. Garner (Napier) auditor. At 6.20- p.m. the conference was adjourned till Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. The annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand was resumed at the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening. Captain Winn, of Lawrence, presided, and there was a large attendance of delegates. On the motion of Captain Toomey the appointment of Captains Smith and Bellringer and ex-President Martin as an Appeal Committee "was confirmed. Captain Winn, in vacating the presidential chair, thanked the delegates for the assistance' they had given form during his term of office, and in the carrying out of the business of the conference. He sailed on Captain Toomey to take his position as president, and complimented the delegates on their wise choice as president. Captain Toomey thanked the delegates appropriately amid applause, and presented to the retiring president his certificate of honorary membership, and referred in complimentary terms to the manner in which Captain Winn had filled the office of president, j The newly-elected vice-presidents also thanked the delegates for their election. Captain Washer suggested that for the. ladder events the pressure at the Caledonian Ground at the demonstration should be reduced, and that the delegates make a re- j commendation to the committee to that effect. With the present pressure the speaker said there would be risk of an accident when the men were on the staging, as some of them could not hold the hose on rhe ground. The city engineer had promised to do his best in view of such a recommendation. — It was resolved that a recommendation be j made that the water pressure for the kdder events should be reduced, if possible, to 1401b or thereabouts. .It was also r3iol\ed that a man be stationed on the platform to ensure the security of competitors. On the motion of Secretary Robbins it ■was unanimously -resolved to vote an additional JBIO to the secretary, to enable him to procure assistance with the increase of ■work. On the motion of Captain 3i3ag-ieton a very hearty vote of thanks for his services was accorded ex-President Captain "Washer on his retirement from the executive, the same to foe recorded on the minutes. Captain Washer replied suitably. Hearty votes of thanks to the citizens of Dunedin and to the city and .suburban brigades for their hearty welcome <?.nd their efforts to make the stay of the delegates enjoyable, also to the Government for assistance in subsidy and railway concessions, then brought the conference to a close. ACCIDENT INSURANCE SOCIETY. The thirteenth annual meeting of the Accident Insurance Society connected with the association was then held, Captain Phillips, of Sumner, presiding. There was a large attendance of delegtrtes. The annual report, read by the Secretary, was as follows : — In presenting the annual report and balance sheet at the thirteenth annual meeting your executive is in the pleasing position of being able to congratulate the society upon the prosperous state of its affairs. The past year was ccmmecced with a credit balance of £373 5s Bd, but, notwithstanding that an unusually large number of accident claims vere received the society at the end of the past financial year was in ciedit to the amount of £BSO 16s 7d Delegates will notice from the balance sheet that cash received, registration fees, and contributions totalled £240 3s 6d, and interest £35 5s 6d, while death and accident claims amounted to £257 12s 6d. The labilities are very small, aggregating only £20 10s. Returns liave been prepared showing the payments anade by each affiliated brigade for contributions, and the amounts received in benefits, also other information in connection with the working of the society. These returns disclose the fact that Ihe larger brigades have drawn heavi'y from the funds of the society, and a discussion en the point as to whether it -would be advisable in the future to increase

the fees payable by these particular brigades might be profitab'e. The contributions from brigades since the formation of the society total £1793 8s 7d, and interest received amounts to £180 7s 4d. making a total of £1973 15s lid. The benefits received by brigades from the funds total J5992 19s lOd, while other payments amount to £99 19s C-J. During the past year a disastrous fire occurred at Momn's warehouse, Auckland. Several members of the Auckland Brigade met with serious accidents at this fire, including Fireman A. Gladding, whose injuries terminated fatally. The accident claims paid in connection with this fire totalled £112 ss. Delegates are reminded that several of the rules f^ave to bo amended in accordance with the requirements of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and they are requested to give same their consideration.

The report and balance sheet were adopted without discussion. Superintendent Smith (Christehurch} moved and Captain Miller (Blenheim) seconded — "That Rule 21 be amended by the addition of the following clause: — 'It shall be optional with any brigade, by payment of double the amount of contributions provided for in Rule 22, to insure its members for £100 in lieu of the £50 provided for above in case of death or total disablement.' "

Secretary Robbins (Hawera) moved as an amendment — " That the executive draw up an amended tariff of premiums and benefits, and submit the same to the brigades for a vote at as early a date as possible, and also report on the question of l-einsurance." Superintendent Smith agreed to withdraw his motion in favour of the amendment, -which was then put and carried.

Secretary Gasson (Devonport) moved that Rule 19, referring to benefits for temporary disablement, be altered to read — " Should any member of the society resign or receive leave of absence from his brigade, and another is elected in his place, the risk of the former member will bo transferred to his successor or substitute on payment, etc.", but on being put to the meeting the motion was lost. Secretary Gasson also moved — " That Rule 21, relating to disablement, etc., be altered to read after the words ' or returning from a fire,' 'or whilst carrying out his duties in connection with tli-e brigade station meets with an accident, etc' " — On being put to the meeting the motion was lost. The election of officer? for ihe ensuing year resulted as follows: — President. Captain G. Strude (Devonport) ; vice-presidents. Lieutenant Baker (Gore) and Secretary Scantleburv (Reefton) ; treasurer, Superintendent Smith (Christchurch) ; trustee, Secretary Rabbins (Hawera), in lieu of Superintendent Smith (resigned) ; secretary. Mr J. G. Gilberd (re-elecrcd) ; auditors, Messrs Garner and Hodgson (re-elected). _ A hearty vote of thanks to the out-going officers brought the meeting to a close. FIRST DAY'S COMPETITIONS. Officials.— Chairman, His Worship the Mayor of Dunedin; vice-chairman, Mr A. Tapper; hon treasurer, Mr J. Loudon ; marshals for all parades, Messrs G. M. Burlinson and J. A. Park; referee. Captain Winn; judgesMessrs Elford, Holland, C. Smith, Lumley, W H. Skitch, R. Little, Robbins, Kinell, A. Millar, and Captain Toomey; examiners — Messrs W. M'Donald, Lawrie. Nokes, Blagdon Stewart, J. Brody, and R. Prebbles: timekeepers— Messrs J. Burke. Townsend, Nelson, Gore P. Brady, Baker, and Sinclair ; starters — Messrs J. Salmon, J. M'Donald. M'Kinley, Cowie, and A. Dey ; supervisor of demonstration, Foreman Carrington ; time-board stewards Messrs "W. Sommerville, G. Leslie, M. Pearce, and E. J. Haydon; ground marshal, Ex-Foreman Samuels; assistant ground marshal, Mr J. Carter; field secretary, H.XFireman M'Kenzie; secretaries, Messrs Grace and Wilson. The weather could not hav-e been better I for the first day of the fire brigades" competitions than it was on Wednesday, and th.3 result was that the Caledonian Grounds, where the competitions were- "held, were visited by a very large concourse of people in the afternoon. Even when the competij tions started in the morning there was a 1 very fair number of spectators about, but by the time competitions were at their height :n the afternoon there were probably between 5000 and 6000 persons scattered about the ground or up in the grand stand. The Kaikorai Band was present, and played an excellent programme of music for the edification of thos-e present. A start was made about 10.30 with the Disable Hose event, but un fortunately much time was lost and considerable vexation caused through stones from the main getting into the plug below the hydrant and blocking the turning off of the water. The result was that it was rendered imposible for several competing teams to complete their work, and those in charge decided the competitors should be allowed to have a run later on. Flushing out the main failed to get rid of the obstacles, and it was finally decided to turn the water off, lift the plug, and either reinsert it or l-eplace it with another. Wire netting was placed between the joint as a precautionary measure against a continuance of the stones coming up, and the trouble was effectually got over. This work all necessitated an expenditure of considerable time, and it was well om into the afternoon before the competition could be continued. In the face of this it is very creditable to those in charge that; they should have got as far as they did with the Disable Hose event, in which only some 10 or a dozen remain to compete. The public were, however, kept entertained by other events — such as the Manual Engine, tlie Baby Rescue, and the Ladder Race for One Man. In the manual 17 teams competed, and Hawera, who wero tho first to go out, won in good time,, and : were closely followed by Rangiora, only four-fifths of a second separating the two. Timaru came third, Christchurch City fourth, and Gore fifth. The two latter fceams were much fancied for the event, Gore having been the winners at Napier. The competition throughout was a good one. and proved most interesting to the spectators, who applauded loudly on witnessing any unusually smart piece of work. Th<? Baby Rescu-3 Race produced some 45 com. pciitors, many of whom did really good work. There- pecms, however, to bo an element of luck, to a certain degree, e^n in contests of this kind, and a ladder not swinging to a true perpendicular as it rose from the gicund, and consequently not being too steady wh-an the men hastily mounted it, was responsible for the loss of a few seconds more than once. In the hurry, the " baby" was not in all cases presented too evenly to tho man on the ladder, whose duty ~it was to slide down to terra firma with it, and there seemed an imminent danger of it pitching out sideways head foxxjinost to

the ground more than once; in fact, it d on one, if not two. occasions reach tl ground before it.- rrscuer, who w? . with h companion, disqualified a-, a result. Th was one of the two competitions conduct yesterday, and nr c t place went to N<" Plymouth, Dunedin City coming Lawrence third, BTa-vv.-ia fou'-tla, ai Kastown Railway fifili. Hai\e:a ai Ka stow n Railway, it will b-p noticed, tie for fourth place, but the latter gave we and accepted fifth position. The Laddi Race for one man was not completed whs an adjournment was made. The number < competitors entered was very large, but good many have still to run. Two rouns of the competition were got off. Speakiv generally of rha display, it was most ii teresting from a spectator's point of vic\ and in many instances excitement ran nig] There were also plenty of amusing litt incidents happening at odd times whk tho crowd was not slow to lay hold o Several firms exhibited gear and appliance used by fire brigades, some further notic of which will appear later on. DISABLE HOSE EVENT FOR FIVE MEN. Five- men to run 10yds, pick up reel, ru 75yds with reel to p'.ug, fix hydrant, in out two 50ft lengths of hose, fix branci strike disc with water 20ft from branch, dis about 12ft high ; disconnect branch, fi union, run cut 50ft from each delivery < the union, fix branches, strike dis>c with bot waters; disconnect first 50ft from hyefeat and replace with one 50ft from reel, stril disc with both waters. Time to be take from start till the last water hits dis< Reel must come back to syds mark froj both union and hydrant. Prizes : Firs £35; second. £22; third. £13; fourth, £11 fifth, £9 (including £10 10s for Messrs i and T. Burt's prize). This event was not completed at 6 o'clocl when the proceedings were brought to a clos for the day, but the following is a list ,< those who have so far competed, with, the; respective times: — PaJmerston North Sosec (including lse penalty), Kumara 86 2-ssec, Napier 7t)sei Timaru 77sec Petone 103 sec (incXidirig lse penalty), Eastown Railway 97 2-ssec (mcluc ing Isec penaHy), Caversham 84sec (incliidin 3sec penalty), Parnell 95sec, Masterton 76sei Hastings 88sec (including Isec penalty), Ree: ton 76sec (including Isec penalty), Tliame 79sec (including 6sec penalty), Dannevirk Ho 2-ss«c, New Plymoutli S0 2-ssec (includin lsec penalty). Sumner. South Dunedir Waihi, Oamaiu, Paeroa, Wanaranui, and S Kilda were disqualified. Palmerston North team were fiist to star and accomplished their task m 84sec, but lse penalty was added to this for loose coupling The Rangiora team thotigh entered did nc compete, and Stunner was disqualified fo dragging the hose. Kumara's time wa 86 2-ssec, and Napier accomplished their tps m "Ssec. In the case of Port Chalmers th spindlo came out at the hydrant, and stone v.-^re subsequently foimd in the plug, and i was decided the team should have anothe run later on. Trouble was experienced i: turning off the water when the Naeeby xn«: were competing, and this was found to b due to stones getting into the plug from th main. It appeared as if some had found thei -,\ay through the hydrant into the hose, as on brajicli played but little water on tlie objec' while the stream from the other branch wa very pawerfu:. Under the circumstances i was decided to give the Naseby men anothe run. Timaru. succeeded m getting through i: 76sec, to which was odded Isec penally fo loose ooupling. The presence of stones agai: irterfered with the chances of the Spit team r.nd it was considered fair the}- should hay anotlier run. Tho main was then flushed wit] the object of getting rid of any obs-ta-cles tha might be lying in it. The next team — Sout] Dunedin — was disqualified for not going ba.6 within five yards of the hydrant, and both Ros and diristchurck City were unable to com plete thc-ir task on account of stones agai blocking the turning off of the water. It wa here decided to put in a fresh, plug altogether and wire netting was placed across the fac of the joint to prevent any stones passing v] to the hydrant. This occupied a considerabl time, but it effectually cured the trouble, am about 3.30 in t'hp afternoon, the campetitioi was resumed. Nelson was unlucky enoug-1 to bruise the thread of one of their coupling through it coming in violent contact with i portio-n of the iron work of the reel, and coul< not consequently complete their work, am therefore forfeited their chance. The penaltie were generally imposed for loose couplings aend tlie disqualifications for dragging, o crossing tlie hose. The heavy penalty of 6se inrcosed in the case of the Thames was fo loose coupling right through, but for this thei time wou'd have been 73sec. St. Kilda^s dia qualification was for interfering wi+n. th couplings before they had been examined by th judges. There still remain 10 or 12 to com pete providing all those appearing on the pro gramme cany out their original intention am do not retire BABY RESCUE FOR TWO MEN. Two men to run 50yds to platform, rais< ladder, both men to ascend, one to ente window opening (second man to ascend unti head is level with window sill) and pass ou dummy (561b weight) to the second man both men to descend, and cross line syd from foot of ladder. Window opening 3f square, sill 2ft 6in above platform. Ni throwing of dummy allowed. Prizes ■ First £10; second, £6; third, £4; fourth, £3; fifth £2. New Plymouth (Lieutenant Bone, Fireman ■T. Way). 23 l-ssec : Dunedin. City (Fhemen J. Williams and T. Blanchard), 23 2-osec Ltawren.ee (Lieutenant Duncan and Fireman Smith), 24sc-c Hawera (Cautam Wilson, Foreman Rodgers), 2J 3-ssec Eastown Railway (Firemen A. Holmes and P. Keegan), 24 3-ssec Also competed : Levin 30 l-ssec, Napie Police 31sec, Oamaru 2Ssec, Parnell 26 3-ssec Napier Railway 32sec, Napier 27 3-ssec, Wai mate 40 4-ssec, Milton 28 4-ssec, Paeroa 33sec Port Chalmers 33sec, Masterton 27 4-ssec Fitzroy 29seo, Onehunga 26 2-ssec, Wanganu 28 2-ssec, Dunedin Railway 31 2-ssec, Spi 31seo, Hastings 26 3-ssec, Cavoraliam 25scc Thames 27seo, Timaiu 27 l-ssec, Greymoutl 26sec, Palmerston North 32 2-ssec, Reeftoi 2?sec, Wangamn 29 4-s£ec, Waihi, 25 4-sscc Hokitika 25 2-ss-ec, Waipawa 30sec, Moun Eden 29sec, Oisbornc 25 4-ssec The H,iwera men, who competed eaily m th. event, adopted a somewhat different nietho< of ascending tho jadder from 1 iheir opponent* one of them climbing up underneath tin ladder, while the other adopted the custotuar method. They put up the excellent time o 24 3-ssec, and remained unbeaten until tin Lawrence men cam's along, when they wer< defeated by a fraction. Several other team; having competed without Lawience's recoit being lowered, New Plymouth was callpt upon, and managed to head Lawrence by 4-: cf a second with a really good exhibition. Om very bad slip was, however, up.ir'v being made tho man descending -with the dummy van nearly losing it wiien close to the foot of tin lacKler. In the case of JTapier, one mau heii

id and steadied the laddea until the other had l-e nearly leached the top before \e began hi a iis recent ready to recp've the baby, md m this ,;^ v. ay the Xapisr men's style differed from the -, c ] orthodox one oi boih scrambling up almost w togetlic;. The "A r a in 1 ate leadei missed his ,1 footing iv o oi three times in mfkmg his j",j ascent and lipcJ some difficn (y m gettmg IC ] through the window. The ladder, which was ;c j set lather nearer the perpendicular than usur!, pioved unsteady when the Dunedin City m:n '-^ began their ascent, and they lost time m conBr , sequence. Wanganu>'s lepresentatives were M J 'lisqval'fied on two giounds — one for not rising oi level with the window sill and the other for a allowing the baby to touch the ground. Petone -" aij-o •sufieiert dicquahftcation by going a step !g further and letting the baby come to the n- ground with a ie?l good thud — in fact, the v. S6lb infant gave a good many of the cotnh. ! petuors tiouVe to balance it nicely while ]c «hdins; down the ladder. Hokitika departed ;h from thp usual method of upending the ladder f b'- placing the hee' of it against the basement 3 - of the platfoim arc! using; united effort to rsieo ~ e it, but it did net benefit them much though their time was rot bad at 25 2-sspc. Palmeri stem Xoith I<W time throueh slipmng of the I feet on the ladder rings. a misfortune that j befell a good many romnetitors. No time- was n taken for the Christchurch City, the team n being disqualified for the receiver of the i, dummy rot ascending tHe ladder to a level sc with the window sill, and Papron and Mount lk Eden wore also disqualified. V ! MANUAL. ENGINE FOX FIVE *EN "\ ! Conditions: Five men, each dressed in shirt J and trousers, with cover, to be lying on k n ! stretchers, 30yds from front of engine. c clothe= hanging on pegs 2yds from foot of M stretcher, head of which will be towards j. engine. At a signal from the starter, to get up and dress, putting on tunic (of which J ' four buttons must be fastened), boots, i helmet, belt Cend of belt must be in keeper). , i and spanner : run to engine, connect to and f' j lay out from near side of engine two lengths if i°* we^ canvas h° se - 50ft each : fix branch, ■ ! connect two lengths of suction hose to engine turn over and unlock levers, lock lf% fore-carriage, and mimo from dam filled '' with water, and with jet strike disc. At ,£ i starting, suction hose to be in the side j_ pockets on f>ich side of engine, lids closed, I all caps on delivery, hose to be made tip in 5 { two coils, strapped and placed in body of £* I engine, branches strapped on horns in front „ . of engine. "When jet strikes disc men to ' ' hold arms over he-ad until dismissed by a iudges. Prizes: .first, £30; second, £15; ° ' third, £12; fourth. £10; fifth. £8. t. Hawera (Cautain J. E. "Wilson, Lieutenant N. J. M'Nivcn. Foreman J. G-reisr, t. ' Branchman T. Rogers, anu Fireman F. c Whiting). 44 l-ssec . . . 1 *. Rangiora (Foreman W. Wilson, Branchit men W. Jordan and T. Thompson. Fireir ' men G-. Humphries and A. Prestney). s 45sec 2 k CTiristclvurch City (Foreman W. Juriss, c Foremen E. Bnrrows and J. D. Fraser, s , BTamchman W. Carr, and Fireman T. it i "Walsh). 46sec 3 ir Tiinaru (Captain P Campbell, Foreman T. n i Cullen, Firemen T. Thompson, W. Hunt, n , and E. Bartlev), 46 l-ssee 4 c Gore (.Lieutenant Cox. Firemen v . Tinnock, c A. Tinnock, A. Donaldson, and G-. Thornr son). 47 2-ssec 5 c i Also competed: Greymouth, 54=ec ; Ashourt- | ton. 55 2-ssec; Spit. 57 2-ssec ; Levin, 61sec ; s- Gisborne, 64 2-ssec ; Hokitika. 64 4-ssec ; it Feilding. 65sec ; Petone, 65 2-ssec ; Kumara, :r 63 2-ssec ; Carterton. 74 3-ssec ; Waipawa, 11 77sec ; Kaianoi, 80sec. Dunecun City team was r also entered, but. not having practised the n event, -did not compete. '■ The winning team was the first to start, 0 and, as will be seen by re^jilts, their rjerform- " ance was not improved on. though Rangiora :* | made a splendid effort. The chances of Clirist- "■ church City team were much fancied, but k their performance was not up to expectations s consequent on their practice form. Ashburton put up a. good performance, but were disqualia | iTed (although it was their intention to appeal) 3 | bscause m the working of the manual the "' I helmet of one of the competitors fell off, and c i it was thoughtlessly picked up and handed to P , him by a bystander. Penalties were commcin. ® and Kumar a suffered to the extent of Ssec in " j this respect, Carterton and Waipawa each to , the extent of 4sec, and Feilding by 3sec. Gore, a j the winners of this event at the Napier s demonstration, took this time only fifth place, a , but the times of the teams placed were all i close. Captain Smith (Rangiora) and Mr W. H. Skitch acted as judges. s i. LADDER RACE FOR ONE MAN. r Conditions : Men to run 25yds to ladder and c ascend ladder to platform ; to be run in r pair«, one entry from each brigade. Prizes: r First, £8; second, £6; third, £4; fourth, £3; i- fifth, £2. c | Emtries had been received from upwards of c ! 50 teams, m.it this competition was attended with some irregularity consequent on the - failui'e of cc-mpstitors in pome cases to come 1 forward, some of them being competing at the time in another event. The method of competition was to race representatives of the c different teams off against one another in pairs, v ' the winners in the first round to meet byes in I the second round, and winners to go on meetk ing winners according to draw. Tli9 oompetit tion was not concluded when an adjournment 5 was made for the day, results so fax being as .(. follow- — 0 First lound : Parnell beat New Plymouth in 9 3-osec ; Tiniara beat Napier Police, 9 2-ssec ; I' Napier beat Paeroa, 9 4-osec; Dunedin City ' beat Petone, lOseo , "Whangarei T>sat "Wainmte. 9 1-ssec; Pcit Chalmers beat St. Kilda, , 9-l-ssec; Christchurch City beat Patea, lOsec ; Masterton beat Mount Eden, 9 4-ssec ; Hastings 0 beat Eastown, S 3-s=ec ; Fitzroy beat Napier " Railway, llsec. New Plymouth's represen3 tativo would have beaten his opponent had he not been disqualified for jostling. Second round • Chnstchurch beat Hawera, 9spc ; Masterton beat Ouehunga, S l-ssec , Dun- ► eclin City beat "Whangarei. 9sec ; Hokitika beat Timaru, 9 4-osec; Caversham beat Fitzroy, r 9ssc ; Hastings beat Port Chalmers, 9^ec ; : , Rerfton beat Kaipoi, 9 3-ssec ; Oamiru beat - Milton, 9 l-ssec; Spit beat Thames, Osec ; '■■> Levin beat Parnell, lOsec. Messrs A. and T. Burt (Limitod) show 1 all the gear and appliances used by fire ._ brigades, and there is probably not a [i brigade reiirc=cnted at the demonstration a but has included in" its -equipment c ome of ■, th<: plant manufactured by this well-known t ' firm. Their of bells suitable- for j ohuich, school, or fir<? pnrcosn? is wcith c ' sooino-. and vary in weight fioni a few 3 ! pounds up fo 10-'wt. raid larger ones can bo ;>; > inado to or<'"r. Their stand, containing * hydrants (b'j'h for fir<? ai.J street v.-atoi ing). f bici'fhos. coupling-, fir^ plugs, and other a} pliances, i^ an c\ocl!ont lino of p.oods. c I'l'i-y have al-o -tant's \\ heroon ar," 1 s!n«n c all the different varieties of hose, including •; canvas, rnljl'-cr, aho mbber wired, ;\r.r\ 1 I mbber covered wUh canvas — all these being - m suitable sizes for fire and g/arckn ptire J po^es. The Snow &team pump is al«o on -, ' ohibition. F'ropr^oof steel ceilings and jr [ cornices arc auoiher line which this firm has s j gono in for itcciitly. and architects and J builders would do well to inspect these.

SECOND DAY'S COMPETITIONS. Compeli'ors and public were ag-un fo-rtu-n?.'-; in having fine weather foi the second day of the fiio brigade*' competition, held on Thur-djy at tho Caledonian Ground A fanly cdily v\a-> made With tho o\ents, and mvitur* were pushed on as fast as po=aible uij to 6 o'clock. (Jood progress v. as miu>, but thco still jemains a lot of ground to co\ or. mid in order 1o pet everything through the contests will begin at 8.30 shaip th;~ morning, w.'i-cu competitors arc requested to be on tho giound. The attendance was not very large y-esterday, but still there- Wiis a la>r sprinkling of the jjublic, and some £16 was taken at the gate. Tlir> fir-t d.iy the tikincis. e\en with the moJ-est charge for admission, reached tlie respectable sum of £100, so that the public has suppoited tho demonstration cxce-edaigly well. In tho forenoon Mr Bert Roylo arranged for a'i evhibition of the Baby Rescue Race in order thac opportunity mighl, be a*fordr>d of taking some kmsmatograph pctures for the Biotablcau New P^rnouth. Lawrence, Hawera. and Dunedin supplied teams, and the result of the instrument's work will probably bo seen m Dunedin before the Biotableau lea\es. Jn yesterday's competitions Hawera, after putting up some good times, both in their original run and in running off the tic with Masterton in the disablehose event, for five men, was disqualified on a protest lodged by Napier, who, while Hawera occupied the position of winners, took fifth prize. By tlie protest being upheld Haweia Mas displaced altogether, tho other four successful teams moved up a place, and Duuedin City placed fifth. A considerable amount of sympathy sceiss to be felt for the Haw-era team, which consists of Captain J. E. Wilson, Lieutenant N. J. M'Niv-en, Foreman J. Greig, Branchman T. Rogers, and Fireman F. Whiting, in their hard luck, which seems additionally hard in view of the fact that they had! fought out their tie for first place with. Masterton, and had won it before the protest was decided. There was some talk of an appeal against the decisiou. if the regulations permitted of it, but nothing definite transpired regarding the matter. Masterton has therefore won the disable-hose event for five men. In the one-man manual engine competition Captain Campbell, of the Timaru t-eam, was rhe winner, with the Christchurch City representative second. Tlie competition was an interesting- one, and Captain Campbell's time was 4sec ahead of the second man's. In the ladder raco for one man, the running off of which was very protracted, S. Sherwood (Caversham) proved the winner, and well deserved his place. A Waipawa man was placed second, a Napier man third, and Williams,, of the Dunedin City Brigade, secured fourth prize. The coupling practice for two men, in which there arc upwards of 60 teams entered, was about two-thirds completed, end New Plymouth is at present leading. The hose, hydrant, and union competition for five men is well advanced, and Dunedin City leads with 60sec, which is unlikely to be reduced. The following are some details <~ r f he day's proceedings: — DISABLE HOSE EVEXT FOR FIVE MEN. Five men to run 10yds, pick up reel, run 75yds with reel to plug, fix hydrant, run out two 50ft lengths cf hose, fix branch, strike disc with water 20ft from branch, disc about 12ft high ; disconnect branch, .fix union, run. out 50ft from each delivery of the union, fix branches, strike disc with both waters; disconnect first. 50ft from hydrant and replace with one 50ffc from reel, strike diso with both waters. Time to be taken from, start till the last water hits disc. Reel miusfc come back to syds mark from both union and hydrant. Prizes : First, £35 ; second, £22; third, £13; fourth, £11; fifth, £9 (including £10 10s for Messrs A. and T. Burt'a prize). Masterton Jenkins, Lieutenant Errrngton, Branchmen E. Braggins, and E. Jenkins, and Frr&man B. Braggins), 75 3-ssec J 1 Timaru (Captain Campbell, Foreman Cullen, and Firemen Thomson, Hunt, and Barclay), 77sac 2 Thames (Captain Gibbons, Firemen C. Garratt. A. Alexander, Willetts, and Billings), 74 l-ssec 3 Napier (Foreman W. Gilberd, Firemen L. Mullaney, E. and S. Gilberd, and G. Willis), no time taken 4 Dunedin City (Firemen Williams, Tonkin, Olliver. Conway, and B'anchard;, SOsec . . 5 Also competed yesterday : Naseby 83see, Spit S6se<;, Ross 104 sec, Chris tchurch City 82sec, jSTelso-n 82£ sec, Greymouth 86sec, Woodville 103 sec, Dunedin Railway 99sec, Westport 81sec, Waipawa 126 sec, Whangarei 90 3-sssc, Gisborne S5 2-ssec, Lawrrence 85sec. Tlie placing of the five winning team's seem.3 to be peculiar, inasmuch, as T'hames's time is better than the whining team, but this is accounted for by the fact that they tied with, Napier for fourth place, and had to run the tie oft". Their original time was 79sec, including a heavy penalty of 6sec for loose coupling. Woodville was disqualified for working after breaking ths disc. Greymouth's 86sec included a penalty of 9sec for loose couplings, and the Dunedin Railway were also penalised 2seo for loose joints. Westport' s 81seo. included 3 sec penalty for slack coupling. They made a clean run up, but the union coupling was dropped just before the hydrant was reached Dunedin City came up with a splendid run, and were a second ahead of any team competing previously up to the first water stage, but time was lost at. the disable joint, and the best time they could m»ka was 80sec without a penalty. Whangarei were slow with coupling. Gisborne's 85 2-ssec included! 2=eo penalty. They made a smart mil up, but time was lost ovei the return for the disable coupling. Lawrence had 4sec added to their actual time for loose couplings Port Chalmers were disqualified lor working up couplings after the disc had L°ea bioken. Waipawa failed to finish under 126cec, the length of time being in a meabuie accounted for by one of the team giving up, probab'y regarding it as hope-ess, and another completing his work. Christchurch City proved quick to the plug and quick with the first water, but lost tima over biingmg the leel back, and Li.led to do better than S2sec. Xa&eby did a smprt run up, and did good work, but lost time in the ccupimg. Their S3«ec mctudod 2sec penalty for loose joints. This completed the list of competitors, and Hawera and ..Masterton, v,ho li.id tied for fust place -with 76^ec, ran off. HaweiA wont first, and a-ccomp ished the woifc in 75 3-ssec. They weie very Fn^it up to the i hv;r, and as fai r.s the time for the fi^st water - .i- ccio'iied, but ]o=t i life .it tb? th--.iV.9 joint. Their run was 'lie finest rhade up to th it time. Mastei ton £r'io-.vi_cl but Look 97? Ec to complete ope-rations. Then tiirc waa e>:act ! y the same as Hawei.i ii the iuu up to the pug and in gettirg ;he mst water, buti the man at the umoa mode a rm<iike, tuid time w'a 1 ) lo°t Haweia therefore won the event! with 75 3-osec, a.nd Masteiton cniw second. Timam was placed ibird wuh. 77sec, au.4 tlier

Thames, who had been heavily penalised the previous day, and Kapier ran off for fourth. place. The Thames put up a splendid per-forma-nce, completing their work in 74 l-ssec, which was a. record for the event, ard considerably better than Hawera's time. There was no penalty imposed, and the run was therefore 'the finest performance in the competition. Napier were unlucky, one of the men in front of the reel falling before the plug was leached. The reel swerved, and one orjtwo of the other men came down. This precluded any possibility of their winning, and they retired with fifth honours. It seemed after tlie event was all over that a protest had been lodged by Napier against Hawera's original run, for going over the hose. The committee sat and heard lengthy evidence, at the conclusion of which it decided to uphold the protest, so that although Hawera put up two fine performances, they failed to get a place at all. It seems that the protest was lodged before the tie with Masterton was run off, and it seems only reasonable that it should have been decided before the Hawera men were called upon to run for the second time. LADDER EACE FOR O¥E MAN.

Conditions: Men to run 25yds to ladder, ascend ladder to platform. To be run in pairs. * One entry from each brigade. Prizes: First, £8; second, £6; third, £4, fourth, £3 ; fifth, £2. A fresh draw in respect to the remaining competitors in this event was held, so as to bring in all those who for various reasons had been excluded the previous day, and so as - to rectify all omissions. Results vrere as -- follow, in acMition to those previously * given : — Third Round.— Dunedin City (J. Williams) ■beat Hokitika, 9sec ; Napier (W. Gilberd) beat Levin (C. R. Jones), Levin's representative drawing out at the mark and giving hi 3 .opponent a walk-over; Gisborne (A. Wallace) • beat Kumara, 8 2-ssec; Caversham (S. Sherwood) beat Spit, 8 l-ssec; Masterton (T. Jenkins) beat Lawrence. 8 2-ssec; Waipawa (A. Collett) beat Wanganui. 8 l-ssec ; Woodville (E. Grinlinton) beat "Waihi, 9sec. Th 3 byes were — Oamaru, Greymouth, Christchurch City, Hastings, Reefton, and Ashburton. Fourth Round.— Napier (W. Gilberd) beat Hastings, 8 l-ssec ; Dunedin City (J. Williams) beat Christchurch City, 8 3-ssec; C&versham (J. Sherwood) beat Gisborne, 8 l-ssec; Reefton (Grange) beat Ashburton, 9sec ; Woodville (Grinlinton) beat Masterton, 9sec; Greymouth (P. Deere) beat Oamaru, 8 l-ssec; Waipawa, tt bye. Fifth Round. — Napier (W. Gilberd) beat Woodville, 8 2-ssec ; Caversham (Sherwood) and Greymouth (P. Deere) ran a dead heat in 8 2-osec ; Reefton (Grange) and Waipawa (Collett) ran a dead heat in 9 2-ssec, Reeftou being penalised a yard; Dunedm City (Williams), a bye. The dead, heats being run off, Caversham beat Greymouth by a yard in Bsec, the Greymouth man slipping; and Waipawa beat Reefton, after a close race, in I 2-ssec.

Sixth Round. — Napier, Caversham, Waipawa-/ and Dunedin City were now left to race- off for the principal prizes, and Greymouth, Woodville, and Reefton to race off for fifth place. In the run-off for fifth place Greymouth (Deere) beat Woodville CGrinfinton) in 7 3-ssec — the fastest run so fat, — and Reefton hail a bye. Greymouth beat Heefton. in a good race in 7 4-ssec. Caversham next beat Napier by a very narrow margin in - the fast time of 7 2-ssec. and Waipawa (Col3ett) beat Dunedfin City (Williams) in 8 l-ssec - — Williams leading , up the. ladder, but slipping twice. Napier' (Gilberd) then met Dun«din City (Williams) in the run.-ofjE for third place and won in 9sec, the Dunedin man -again slipping. Caversham and Waipawa had - then to race off for fhrst place, and Sherwood proved too nimble for Collett and won in - 7 2-ssec. HOSE, HYDRANT, AND UNION COMPETITION FOR FIVE MEN. Five men to run 10yds, pick up reel, run 75yds with reel to plug, fix hydrant, run out 100 ft of hose, fix branch, strike disc with -water 20ft from branch, disc about 12ft high ; . ; run out another 50ft length of hose, discon- * nect branch., and couple first and second lengths of nose together, fix branch, and strike % second disc fixed as before; disconnect couplings between first and second lengths -of hose, and insert union, run out another 50ft length of hose and connect to union, raise ladder and take the last length on to the platform, and strike disc with water. Time to be taken from the start till _ the water hits the disc on the platform ; both branches to be held by branchmen when Sfinished. v Hose reel must be brought back to Sjrtls from union. Water to be shown from both branches at finish. Prizes : First, £50 ; second, £25; third, £15; fourth, £12; fifth, £IQ. This event was started about midday, and there still remain some 16 teams to compete. So far the following teams have run off: — _^Dunedin City, 60sec; Thames, 64sec; 64sec ; Hawera, 65 2-ssec ; Timaru, 67sec; Christchurch, 67 3 : ssec; Lawrence, 79sec ; Invercargill, 75 l-ssec ; Kumara, 74sec ; Hokitika, 79sec; Naseby, 73 3-ssec; South i Dunedin, 72sec; Hastings, 84sec; Daoinevirke, "" 77sec ; Woodville, V74sec ; Whangarei, 71sec; Westport, 69 2-ssec; Reefton, 90£ sec; St. fcilda, 74sec; Ross. 92sec ; and Port Chalmers, 83sec. Carterton, and Waipawa were disqualified without any time being taken. The pressure of water was reduced from 1901b to 1501b pressure for the sake of making . >t more safe for the men who had to get to the platform. Lawrence started the competition, and was disqualified, the branchman not getting on to the platform. . The lug of the • plug broke on Dunedin City commencing, and they were allowed another run. A fresh plug was put in, and the team put up the splendid .time of 60sec, which will take a great deal of •beating. They did good and clean work, and aio time was lost anywhere. Where they gained time especially over other competitors ■was in getting up the ladder with the hose. greatest loss was in this part of the contest, and they were disqualified for not coming back to the syds mark. Hokitika was penalised 2sec tor loose hydrant, this being r included in their 79sec. Naseby was slow at the ladder work, and Kumara had 4sec added to their actual time of 70sec for loose joints on the union. Ha3tings's time of 83sec was increased by a penalty of lsec for loose joints in the union. Christchurch did very good work, and put up the respectable time of B7 2-ssec. There was very little delay in the work, though the man was a bit slow on the ladder. Carterton was disqualified, and did not complete their work. In tho case of Caversham the water was slow in getting to the top of the platform, but they were better than anything else on the second water. Dannevirke had 2sec penalty tacked 'on to their actual time of 75sec for loose branch and loose

union. Woodville was also penalised 2sec for Joose hydrant' and loose union. Hawera made rery good time of it, but lost in getting the water on to the disc. Thames had a penalty ptf lsec added on to their 63sec for loose joint jn the branch. One second penalty also injreased Ross's actual time of 91sec, the fault being loose hydrant. The only other competitor penalised was Whangarei, who also had their time burdened with lsec. MANUAL ENGINE, ONE MAN.

Conditions : Man to run from the .

front 20yds

■ to engine, lock fore-carriage, turn over and unlock levers, connect one length of suction hose to engine, connect to engine and run out 50ffc of canvas hose from each side and ! fix branches, finish syds in front of either branch. Delivery hoso to be made up in coil, strapped, and placed in body of engine ; branches strapped on herns in fiont of engine ; suction to be in side pockets of engine. Lids cosed, all caps on Prizes . First £6; second, £1; third, £3; fourth, £2, fifth, £1. Final. Timaru (Captain Campbell), 62 4-ssec .. 1 Christchurch City (Foreman E. Burrows), 66 4-ssec 2 Spit (Fireman Monticeno), Tlsec . . . . 3 Greymouth (Fireman Fitzsimmons), 72sec 4 Rangioia (Bianchman Jordan), 72 4-ssec . . 5 Gore (Fireman Tinnock) tied with Rangiora for fifth place in 72 4-ssec, but, declining to run off, f'angiora took fifth place. Timaru, Christchurch City, Spit, and Rangiora were all penalised to the extent of lsec. The other competitors, with their times (including penalties if any;, "V ere as follow: — Gisborne (Superintendent Wildish), 74 2-ssec ; Hawera (Captain Wilson), 74 l-ssec (penalty lsec) ; Waipawa (Foreman Collett), 74sec; Kaiapoi (Firei man Pearce), ' 75 2-ssec ; Hokitika (Fireman Ross), 77sec ; Hastings (Fireman Flynn), 77 1-Esec, Westport (Fireman Skilton), 78 l-ssec ; Eastown (Foreman Holmes), 81 2-ssec; Ashburton (Fireman Hillgrove), 85sec (penalty lsec) ; Petone (Fireman Adams), 87 3-ssec (penalty 3sec); Mount Eden (Lieutenant Surman), S7sec ; Carterton (Branchman M'Kensie). 82 3-osec. Lieutenant Rtigg (Kumara) was disqualified for not extending a lever, and Lieutenant Anstic (Levin) was disqualified for not using his spanner. Patea, Parnell. Feilding, T'emuka. and Dunedin City were entered, but did not come forward. COUPLING PRACTICE, TWO MEN. - Conditions: Two men to run 25yds from rear of plug, fix hydrant, connect 50ft of hose to each delivery of hydrant, connect union to each 50ft, then 50ft to each delivery of unions, fix four branches, and finish, -iyds in front of branches. Hydrant to be laid alongside plug; hose, union, and branches laid out ; one delivery of hydrant and each union, to be capped. Two 50ft lengths of hose from each side of the hydrant will be connected — disconnect and insert union. Priat-s: First, £10; second, £7; third, £4; fourth, £3 ; fifth, £2.

No less than 61 teams were entered for this event, and, though no time was lost, the competition was net more than two-thirds through at the 6 o'clock adjournment. Results so far are as under: — Auckland Railway (Round and Cook), 47 2-ssec (penalty lsec) ; South Dunedin (Williams and Price). 52 3-ssec (including penalty ssec) ; Palmerston North (Goodall and Milverton). 53sec (including penalty 2sec) ; Kaiapoi (Hayman and Driscoll), 58 2-ssec (penalty 4sec); Naseby (R. Moore and Marshall), 47 l-ssec; Christchurch Railway (Burns and Taylor), 55 2-ssec (with penalty 4"sec) ; Hawera (M'Niven and Rogers), 47 l-sseo (penalty 3sec); Paeroa (Shaw and M'Guire), 60sec (penalty 4sec) ; Levin (Leonard and Jones), 60sec ; Rangiora (Wilson and Prestney),' 59 2-ssec (penalty lsec) ; Eden Terrace (Freeman and Butler>, 55sec (penalty lsec) ; Oamaru (Carson and Hanley), 58 l-ssec (penalty 2sec) ; Hokitika (Thomson and Ross), 44 2-ssec (penalty lsec) ; Milton 1 (Dunn and King),, 623 ec (penalty 2sec) ; Te Aroha (Windsor and Stanley), 77 2-ssec (penalty llsec) ; Waihi (Rolleston and Clews), 47 4-ssec ; Christchurch City (W. Juriss and Carr), -43 2-ssec (penalty 3sec) ; Hastings (Brausch and Flynn), 44sec'; New Plymouth (Boon and Ford). 41 l-ssec (penalty lsec); Wanganui (Price and Moosman). 47 4-ssec ; Geraldine (Willoughby and Prouting), 51 2-ssec (penalty lsec): Patea (Coate's and Neilson), 56 l-ssec; Timaru (Campbell and Hun^r 42sec ; Westport (Skilton and Curtis), 48sec (penalty 4sec) ; Whangarei (Lyons and Eccles), 50 l-ssec (penalty 6see) ; Parnell (Connolly and Baker), 50 2-ssec (penalty 2sec) ; Cambridge (Plescher and Ruge), 57 l-ssec (penalty 3sec) ; Napier Railway (Baird and Dalley), 52sec; Port Chalmers (Smith and Perry), 74sec; Gisborne (Henderson and anotherj, 53 l-ssec ; Eltham (Page and Murray (47 4-ssec (penalty 3sec) ; Eastown (Holmes and Keegan), 51 2-ssec ; Waipawa (Collett and Wills), 49 4-ssec; Addington Railway (Lowe and Mitchell), 62 2-ssec ; Spit (Sanders and Monticeno), 46 4-ssec (penalty lsec) ; Onehunga (Hill and Hayter), 49Jsec ; Nelson (Miller and Durbridge), 51sec ; Mount Eden (Surman and Jane). 46 4-ssec (penalty 2sec) : Napier (Gilberd and) Wallis), 43 3-ssec (penalty lsec) ; Caversham (Foster and Russell), 45sec (penalty lsec). Karangahake, Akaroa, and Masterton did not come forward in their turn. It will be seen that so far New Plymouth leads, with Timaru second and Napier third, but a- good 'many teams have yet to race. In sill the tsmes l %iven above the penalty has been included in the total. In cases where the times were bad the judges, after a good deal of progress had been made with the event, did not make an inspection where the team was obviously out of the running, and so penalties are not added to such performances. Firemen's outfits, from whistles' to boots, are shown on the grounds by Messrs Ross and Glendining, of the Roslyn Mills. Several uniforms in various styles of trimmings are also shown, and the smartness of the style is displayed on a dressed figure. Helmets, . from the ordinary leather to the superintendent's silver helmet, are among the exhibits, and the different cloths used for the uniforms are shown in the piece. so that they may be handled and tested by the various brigades. All these different cloths that ai-e used in the uniforms can be made at the lecal mill.