FIRE BRIGADES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8448, 21 February 1899, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADES.

CONFERENCE AT QUEENSTOWN. [Per Pkess Association.] Qukexstowx, last night. The annual Conference of Fire Brigades opened to day.' Sixty delegates were present, iuelnding ono from Gisborne. The report showed the financial position not, too health}'. The demonstration last year at Auckland resulted in a loss of £13ii. In ISDS the Association had a credit of i'3nl, but at present the funds stood at only £h'T. The accumulated benefit fund amounts to £000. There arc seventy-four brigades on the roll of the Association, with a membership of 1500. A recommendation of the Executive that the badges of ollicers lie, chief oilicer two double epaulets, second ollirer two singleplated epaulets, and foreman two single epaulets, was approve!. \ Certificates expressive of {rood services to the Association were presented to exKuperintcndent Hani?, Christehnroh ; Captain Stewart, Inveicargill ; cx-Ciptain Cummins, Wanganui ; ex-Captain Whiteford, "Wellington ; Captain Lcituh, Port Clialmcrs ; Captain Jull, Wnipawa ; Secretary Rabbins, Haweri ; and Superintendent Smith, Christchurch. A motion for the inaugtuation of a death benefit fund was lost, also those fur granting three years' certificates and extra bervice bars. To-day. ■ — The Fire Briuadc-- Conference decided to recommend each brigade in the colony to hold a public meeting tv ventilate the Fire Brigades Bill, which provided for the maintenance of the iiieservke of the colony. Superintendent Smith (ChiNtchiiivh) said lie undci stood all the brigades were to be invited to the Paris Exhibition Confcienee, and he moved th.it if possible the Association be represented by a tram or otherwise. The motion \va» canicd, and a committee set up to devise wa\san<l means. It was- decided to hold a dcntonstiatinn and conference in Clnistclmu h m 1!K'O, being the jubilee year. Siipeiimendcnt iSmitli (Rangiora) was elected President. At the annual meeting of the Accident Assurance Society of the File Ilriyades Association, the balance for the \ear wasstated to be £.")ti. The claim-' totalled j £61 His. Ai the in-lance ol the Napier Inigade the rule- weie amended making intoxication a distinct bar to a chum for benefit. 1 Captain Fooks w.i- elected President.