FIRE BRIGADES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 30

FIRE BRIGADES.

JUBILEE CONFERENCE.

HOKITIKA, February 25.

The fiftieth conference of the New Zealand United Fire Brigades’ Association opened this morning. The visiting 'officers, delegates’ and the competing teams for the competitions arrived on Saturday night by special train. A church parade was held yesterday in ideal weather. Some 400 firemen, headed by the Municipal Band, marched to their respective churches. The bearing of the men on parade was specially remarked upon. The sight was an inspiring one, the streets being lined with spectators.

In the afternoon the executive officers ind ladies’ parties, numbering 120, motored to Lake Kanieri, and had an enjoyable outing at that popular scenic resort, where they were entertained to afternoon tea. The local band rendered a sacred programme of music on Cass square in the presence of several hundred people. The present is the jubilee conference of the association, and the attendance is a record in the history of the organieation, 130 brigades being directly represented, and a large number of past officers present. The Town- Hall, where the conference is being held, was crowded for the occasion. At 11 o’clock the Mayor (Mr Perry) gave the visitors a civic welcome, the other speakers including Air J. O’Brien, M.P., and Mr H. L. Michel (chairman of the Fire Board). A public luncheon was tendered the delegates at 1 p.m.

The conference will be continued tomorrow and on Wednesday, when there will also be a public picnic to Lake Mahinapua. The competitions will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. ■On .this occasion the conditions of the events have been modernised, and special interest centres in the competitions. Air T. T. Hugo (representing the Government) is present, and has expressed great satisfaction at the inspiring turnout and bearing of the men for the parade yesterday. The executive report States that 140 brigades are affiliated to the association. The balance of assets over liabilities is £2274 4s 4d. Four gold stars for 25 years’ continuous service will be presented at the conference. Appreciation was expressed for the grant and allowance made to the association by the Government. When the conference was continued in the afternoon various reports were read, and several remits were dealt with.

An Oamaru remit abolishing all dressing events except the one-man event was agreed to.

A Stratford remit for benzine tin to be used instead of a drop shutter disc was agreed to. Invitations to the 1930 conference were received from the Oamaru, Whangarei, and Gore brigades, and the location will be decided by a ballot later in the year.

At the meeting of the Accident Society Past-president Deere presided. The annual report showed that the roll number was 114 brigades, the same as last year, and the membership 1827, an increase of 22. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £2302, an increase of £l2O.

A remit to admit the fire police corps to the society was lost. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Superintendent Tyler (Rangiora) ; vice-presidents, Superintendent Follas (Devonport) and Superintendent AlTntosh (Hokitika) ; treasurer, Secretary Osborne; secretary, Captain Watts (Newmarket). ..

, ; February 26. the conference was concluded this morning. Inspector Hugo delivered an interesting address, which was ordered to be printed and distributed. Gold stars were presented, the four recipients being: Stewart (Nelson), Hur(,??mara), Leslie (Ashburton), and Vitaglich (Westport). The election of officers resulted:—President, Superintendent C. E. Gilbert (Onehunga); vice-presidents, Deputy Superintendent Deere (Greymouth) and Superintendent C. W. Tyler (Rangiora). The retiring president (Air Freeman) was elected a life honorary member. The fireworks display last night drew a targe concourse of people to Cass square, -tnis afternoon the delegates were taken to the dredge. To-morrow they will attend a public picnic at Lake Alahinapua.

JUBILEE DEMONSTRATION. HOKITIKA, February 28. The United Fire Brigades’ jubilee demonstration commenced this morning in Cass square under perfect weather conditions. There was a good attendance. The water supply from the borough mains gave a splendid pressure, and it is officially stated that the ground appointments are the best jhe association has ever had. The modern events proved an unqualified success, and it is certain that they will be retained.

Two events were completed and two others partly run off, and will be continued to-morrow. Results:—

Gilberd Memorial, one-man coupling. —Final: Afasterton, 55sec, 6 shield points, 1; Hawera, 56 2-ssec, 5 points, -1 Hillside Railway, Glsec, 4 points, 3; OnalitiHga, 63 l-ssc-c, 2 points, 5; Rotorua, 04r.ee, 1 point, 0. Fifty-one teams eompeted.

Two Men, Hcee and Standpipe Event. —Petcme, 37 2-sscc, 9 shield points, 1;

Lower Hutt, 38 2-ssec, 8 points, 2; Taumaranui, 38 3-ssec, 6 points, and Otira Railway, 4 points, tied for third place; Hawera, 38 4-ssec, 3 points, 5; Waitara, 38 4-ssec, 2 points, 6. Sixty teams competed. Five Men, Hose, Reel, and Ladder Event (modern). —Hawera, 41 l-ssec, 20 shield points, 1; Addington Railway, 16 points and Te Kuiti, 12 points each, tied for second place; Whangarei, 49sec, 8 points, 4; Gore, 51sec, 6 points, 5; Devonport and Dargaville, 53 l-ssec each, 2 points, 6. Twenty-two teams competed.

, March 1. Ihe demonstration was continued today in fine weather after a showery night. The water pressure eont’nued highly satisfactory, and the general arrangements were very complete. Captain-secretary Watts was advised of the death of his brother in Auckland this morning. A halt was .ailed, and the assembled firemen passed a motion of sympathy, and adjourned for five minutes as a mark of respect, The adjustment of the points in cae five-men hose event (modern) gives the Gore, Devonport, Dargaville, and Alasterton 24 points each.

The four-men hose and stand pipe event was completed, with this result: — Hawera, 43 2-ssee, 16 points, 1; Hillside Railway, 45 2-ssec, 12| points,’ 2; Masterton, 46 4-ssee, 94 points, 3. Also competed: Addington Railway, 47sec; 64 points; Te Kuiti, 48 l-ssec, 5 points: Petone, 48 2-ssec, 34 points. Forty teams competed.

Three-men hose and stand pipe event. —Addington Railway, 23 4-ssec, 12 points, 1; Petone, 24 2-ssec, 9 points, 2: Whangarei, 24 3-ssec, 7 points, 3. Hillside Railway (25sec, 5 points) and Lower Hutt (4 points) tied for fourth place. Oamaru and Stratford, each 25 2-ssec, 1| points each, were next. Fifty-six teams competed. Three-men motor event. —Hawera, 17 2-ssec, 12 points, 1; Alastcrton, 19 3-ssee, 9 points, 2; Petone, 20sec, 7 points, 3. Also competed: Taihape, 20 4-ssec, 5 points; Te Aroha, 21sec, 4 points; Rotorua, 21 3-ssec, 3 points. Thirty-seven teams competed, Five-men disabled hose event. —Carterton, 54 4-ssec, 20 points, 1; Greymouth and Te Kuiti, each 55 4-ssec, 15 points, tied for second place. Also competed : Stratford and Thames, each 57 4-ssec, 7 points; Hawera, 58 4-ssec, 4 points.

DEMONSTRATION CONCLUDED. HOKITIKA, Alarch 2

The United Fire Brigades’ Association's demonstration was successfully concluded this afternoon in glorious weather and before a large attendance. The presentation of prizes and trophies was made to-night. Most of the visiting firemen are returning by special train on Monday-morning.

Three-men Disabled Hose Jubilee Event.—Hawera, 42sec, 12 points, 1; Taumaruhui, 46sec, 9 points, 2; Afasterton, 47 3-ssec, 7 points, 3; Rotorua, 48sec, 5 points, 4; Whangarei, 49sec, 4 points, 5; Addington Railway, 50 2-ssec, 3 points, 6. Fifty-nine teams competed. Five-men Hose, Reel,.and Ladder Event. —Hawera, 40see, 20 points, 1; Hillside Railway, 42sec, 16 points, 2; Gore, 43sec, 12 points, 3; Taumarunui, 44 4-ssec, 8 points, 4; Stratford, 45 2-ssec, 6 points, 5; Carterton, 45 3-ssec, 4 points, 6. Twenty-five teams competed. Four-men Alotor Event.—Hawera, 47sec, 16 points, 1; Dannevirke, 53 3-ssec, 124 points, 2; Hillside Railway, 54 2-ssec, 9| points, 3; Stratford, 56 l-ssec, 64 points, 4; Rotorua, 57 3-ssec, 5 points, 5; Taumarunui, 58sec, 3| points, 6. Twenty-five teams competed.

Five-men Hose and Standpipe Event (dressing).—Hawera, 33 3-ssec, 20 points, 1; Hillside Railway, 36sec, 16 points, 2; Whangarei, 39 l-ssec, 12 points, 3; Addington Railway, 39 3-ssec, 8 points, 4; Te Kuiti, 43sec,*6 points, 5; Dargaville, 44sec, .4 points, 6. Seventeen teams competed. Two-men Rescue Event.—Stratford. 36 4-ssec, 9 points, 1; Taumaruhui, 37 l-ssec, 8 points, 2; Te Kuiti, 37 2-ssec, 6 points, 3; Alastcrton, 38sec, 4 points, 4; Hawera, 38 4-ssec, 3 points, 5; . Dargaville and Otorohanga, 42sec, 1 point each, 6. Fifteen competed. Points in ambulance evert: Onehunga 12, Whangarei 9, Gore 7, Dannevirke 5, Hawera 4, Addington Railway 3. Championship Shield: Hawera 135, Hillside Railway 63, Addington Railway 48£, Te Kuiti 43, Whangarei 42, Masterton 38,

High-pressure Shield: Hawera 123, Hillsde Railway 59, Addington'Railway 45J, Te Kuiti 37, Whangarei 31, Alasterton 28.

Manual Shield: Hawera 39, Afasterton 26, Petone 25, Taumarunui 23, Whangarei 22, Addington Railway 18.

The Gilberd Alemorial -Shield was won by Alasterton, and the Duplex Shield (fqur-men motor) and Camel Shield (three-men motor) were'won by Hawera.