FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 40

FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. MASTERTON, March 8. All the delegates (about 90) have arrived to attend the United Fire Brigades Association's Conference. / The annual report of the Executii* Committee states that the finances, though ijot in as flourishing a condition as last year, are nevertheless sound. The balance of assets over liabilities amounts to £176 9s 2d. This shows a reduction of a little over £200, as compared with the credit last year, but this reduction is due to the great expenditure in travelling expenses in connection with the demonstration at Christchurch last year. The membership roll now numbers 104, and during the year the Featherston (Wairarapa), and Islington Brigades joined the association. The Accident Society Fund is in a splendid position. During the year claims amounting to £98 53 have been paid, which Includes a liability of £12 from the rarevious year. The general expenses amounted to £32 5s 6d, including a sum of £15 for printing: — an account extending over several years. The balance of assets over liabilities ie £1306 6s 6d, an increase over last year of £153 19s sd, which, considering the rebates now extended to a number of brigades, -demonstrates tbe eolkl position of the society. Since the last conference gold stars for 25 years' service have been forwarded for presentation to J. M'Connoc>ie (Queenstown), R. Price (South Dunedin), and S. Cowbrick (Napier). At the | present conference stars will be presented to B. O. Robbine (Hawera), J. A. Hayman (Kaiapoi), A. Harkness (Inyercargill), and G. P. Holland (Eatstown Railway). The delegates attended church parade toSay, and the conference opens to-morrow. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. MASTERTON, March 9. The Fire ftrigades' Conference *as »pened to-da* by the Mayor. Mr Hogg, M.P., also spoke, saying that he would like to see the brigades placed on a better footing and formed into an efficient department under Government supervision. The conference was presided over by Mr A. C- Hasisen (Westport), and about 110 delegates were present. The conference decided unanimously to suspend the Queenstown brigade for failing to take the steps requested by the last conference in regard to a member of that brigade who misconducted himself at Christchurch, the brigade having also failed to reply to the letters of the secretary bearing on the matter. Itr decided, on the motion of the Napier Brigade, that the whole of the rules be revised. It was resolved to impose a fine of nalf-a-guinea for failure on the part of brigades in future to send in certified copies of their accounts Captain Preston Inglewood moved that Rule 6be altered to read 1 : "That nominations for executive officers be in the hands of the various brigades of the association not less than 14 days prior to the meeting of delegates." This was carried! Fire police ' and salvage corps were included in the association, the rules being altered for that purpose. Other alterations allow representation by proxy. The conference decided to vote £27 as a prize fund for essays on subjects connected with fire service in the Dominion, the executive to choose three subjects, and 'Ac prizes in each subject to be £5, £3, and £1. A sub-committee, consisting of the president, Captains Mitchell. Wynne, Jenkins. and Holland, Mr Bobbins (secretary), and Supterintendent Smith was appointed to "deal with applications for long service' medals. The rules were dealt with seriatim a>;u icvised, and new rules were added.