FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 25

FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE

The annual conference and demonstration in oornection with the Southern Districts' Fire Brigades' Association, held at Tapanui during the Easter holidays, passed off very successfully. Considering the snowstorm in the early part of last week, the fire-fighters were exceedingly fortunate in being able to hold their demonstration. With something like sin of snow on the show ground on Thursday, the outlook was not at all promising. By Saturday, however, the snow had disappeared, and the ground was in good order. Most of the firemen arrived by the midday train on Good Friday, and were conveyed from the station by motor cars in a pouring rain. President Couper occupied the chair at the delegates' meeting held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Friday evening. The executive's report stated that the balance sheet showed that the revenue for the year had been £56 19s 3d (including a balance carried forward of £42 15s lOd), and the expenditure £l4 3s 7d, leaving a credit balance at December 31 of £42 15s Bd. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the President congratulated the association on its sound financial position, and complimented Secretary D. M. Wildey on the excellent work he had done. At this stage the Deputy Mayor (Mr Gillies) extended a hearty welcome to the firemen. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Lieutenant J. Clouston (Tapanui); vice-presidents, Lieutenant J. A. Armit (Roslyn) and Lieutenant C Wells (Invercargill); treasurer, Captain C. A. Lucas (St. Kilda, re-elected); secretary, Captain D. M. Wildey (Mornington, reelected); auditor, Foreman J. Clyde (Roslyn). The competitions, which were held on Saturday, resulted as follows: Coupling Event (two men). —Invercargill Workshops (38sec), 1; Mornington (41see), 2; St. Kilda (44sec), 3. Thirteen teams competed. One-man Coupling Event.—Hillside Workshops (lmifl 4 l-ssec), 1 and gold medal presented by P.P. Couper; Tapanui (lmin 15sec), 2 and gold medal presented by President Jas. Clouston; St. Kilda (lmin 15 1 s sec), 3. Twelve teams competed. Five Men Hose, Hydrant, and Union. — Hillside Workshops (37 l-ssec), 1; St. Kilda (45- l-ssec), 2; Mornington (50 l-ssec), 3. Five teams started. Rescue Race (two men). —Invercargill (27 4-ssec), 1 and two gold medals presented by Captain T. J. Watt (secretary U.F.8.A.); Hillside Workshops and Tapanui (28 4-ssecj, tie, 2, run-off for second place, Hillside (27 45sec), 2; Tapanui (30sec), 3. Five teams started. Hose and Hydrant (three men). —Roslyn (22 l-ssec), 1; Invercargill (22 4-ssec), 2; Hillside Workshops (24 4-ssec), 3. Eleven teams competed. Ladder Race (one man). —Roslyn (7 3-ssec), 1 and medal presented by F.B. Supplies Co.; St. Kilda (7 4-ssec), 2; Hillside Workshops (8 l-ssec), 3. Eleven entries. Shield Points. —Hillside Workshops, 35; St. Kilda, 31; Roslyn, 26; Mornington, 17; Invercargill, 17; Tapanui, 16; Invercargill Workshops, 8; Balclutha, 1; Milton, 1. On Saturday evening a smoke concert was held in the Town Hall. During the evening the chairman had the very pleasant duty of presenting the Hillside Railway Brigade with the handsome shield presented by the 1916 executive for most points, and! the following firemen with gold medals: Two presented by Captain T. J. Watts (Newmarket) and won by Invercargill Municipal; two-rhen coupling (presented by President W. Couper), and won by Fireman Burgess (Hillside Railway), and second (presented by Vice-president J. Clouston), and l won by Captain (Tapanui); also medal presented by Napier Fire Brigade Supplies Co. for .ladder event, and won by Fireman J. Armit (Roslyn). On Sunday morning the delegates attended church parade at All Saints' Church.