Fire Brigades Conference.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5709, 4 March 1890, Page 3

Fire Brigades Conference.

Wellington, to-day. At the Fire Brigade Conference the annual balance-sheet was adopted. A discussion took place re travelling expenses of delegates, several members considering that it was not fair to expect officers to travel second-class on the steamers. Captain Burger moved that, first and second officers attending the meeting should be allowed cabin fares. The resolution was seconded by Captain Brimble and lost, a proposition by Captain Gibb, seconded by Branchman Cook, "that each delegate and each officer in charge' of a team should be paid cabin fare " being passed. The annual subscription of each brigade was reduced from L 2 2s to LI Is. A letter of condolence was ordered to bo sent to the widow .and orphans of' the late Captain Page, of Wellington, and L 5 us was voted to the WelHngcon Brigade towards the cost of a memorial. The Kumara Brigade wrote with reference to the Government capitation grant to firemen, and a committee was appointed to bring up a report on the subject. It was decided that if possible the titles of officers should be made uniform throughout the colony, and the question as to whether the titles of Superintendent and Sub-Superintendent, or Captain and Lieutenant should be adopted was referred to the whole of the brigades belonging to the Association, some of them not being represented at the Conference. ' At the Fire Brigades' Conference the committee appointed to consider whether Supt. West, of Thames, be awarded a medal for saving the life of Mrs Love, recommended that the Mayor of Thames be communicated with, asking if Supt. West be entitled to the medal ; if a favorable reply be received, the medal to be granted. An amendment was moved by Captain Michael "that while the Association commends the promptitude with which Supt. West performed his duty, it regrets it cannot see its way clear to grant a medal." The amendment was carried. A committee was appointed to consider capitation, and to wait on the Government urging the claims of the Brigades, and to ask their support to the passing of a Bill for providing funds for tho maintenance of brigades throughout the colony. The recommendation was adopted and a deputation appointed. A motion that Fire Police and Salvage Corps be admitted to the Association was lost. Lieutenant Smith was re-elected President. Tt was decided to increase the number of Vice-Presidents to three, and Captains Scott, Jones, and Adams wer.e elected. Sub-Superintendent Gilbercl was re-elected Secretary, and an honorarium of LlO voted him in addition to his salary. The Conference adjourned until tomorrow. The torchlight procession last night was very successful.