FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 26

FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION

CONFERENCE AT HASTINGS. 'HASTINGS, March 1. The forty-first annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association opened at Hastings to-day, Superintendent Keith presiding over an attendance of 140 delegates coming from Bluff to the North Cape. lh.e proceedings were opened by Messrs George Ebbett (the Mayor) and H. M. Campbell, M.P., extending to the visitors a cordial welcome to the town. The clerk's annual report states that the amount of assets over liabilities is £475, as against £341 last year. N In addition to 10 presented at the last conference, gold stars have been presented during the j-ear to Messrs A. F. Spooner (Patea),C. R. Surman (Mount Eden),' E. J. Little (Palmerston North), K. S. Rush (Palmerston North), W. S. Hart (Petone). J. B. C'rossan (Stratiord), W. Rowsoa (Stratford), and W. J. Gilberd (Napier). Two are to be presented .at this to Messrs J. Smith (Danncvirke) and O. W. Briggins. This makes a total of 20 presented during the 12 mouths—a record number. The following extract from the report shows that the fire brigadesmen responded nobly during the war. It states that it is Very gratifying for the executive to place on record the noble response made by members of the fire service throughout the dominion in the late national crisis, the number enrolled for all services being 1676 out of a roll number of less than 3000. "The fact that over one-half of our numbers have responded to the? Empire's call should arouse, a spirit of enthusiasm in the hearts of all. We deeply regret to state that 237 of ■ our comrades have made the supreme sacrifice, 723 having been wounded and invalided, and five were made prisoners of war.,Your executive sincerely hoses that our sick and wounded comrades have now been restored to health and their homes, but regret that owing to 'some brigades having neglected to supply the secretary with the required information a complete list cannot be compiled until that is done. In addition to the printed list, two more of. our comrades gained the Military Medal —M'Lachlan (of Gisborne) and A. Corbett (of Rotorua). This makes the number of Military Medals, gained by the members 43." HASTINGS. March 2. The United Fire Brigades' Conference was continued to-day. Several remits were adopted, including the following:—"That, with a view of the United Fire Brigades' Association resuming its demonstrations, the Government be asked for a substantial increase in ihe subsidy." It was decided that the.amount be £IOOO, and that the United Fire Brigades' Association approach the Fire Underwriters' Council with a view to obtaining an annual, subsidy of £SOO. The conference considered the question of a superannuation scheme for members of the association, and decided that a committee be set up to deal with the matter and re port to the next conference. HASTINGS, March 3. The United Fire Brigade Conference concluded to-day It was decided that the amount of subsidy to be asked from the inr •■-•.nee companies be altered from £SOO to £IOO. superintendent Crosse (Hamilton), on vbehalf of his brigade, .invited the association to hold its next conference at Hamilton, provided there was no demonstration. He was afraid his brigade could not provide for a demonstration. Napier's claim to the next conference and demonstration was acknowledged. The Napier Fire Services asked that the executive give nine months' notice. The secretary said that notice could be given about May next. Failing ,Napier being able to provide for a demonstration, it could probably be held by invitation either at Dunediu or Christchurch. The following officers were elected: — President, Superintendent G. Goodwin (Akaroa); vice-presidents—Captain C. Lucas (St. Kilda), Captain H. E. Greathead (Eketahuna); treasurer and secretary, Mr C. A. Osborne (Onehunga); secretary, Captain T. J Watts (Newmarket); auditor, Mr P. R. Fraser. Mr W. Keith was elected a life member.