GISBORNE FIRE BRIGADE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9118, 11 April 1901, Page 3

GISBORNE FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

There was a large attendance of membei^ at the Fire Brigade Station last evening, when the annual meeting of the Brigade was held. Prior to the meeting being held, Senior Branchman A. Thomsou entertained the members with an excellent lantern lecture. . The light was supplied by a 100 candle-power acetylene burner, and the first portion oi the views comprised aoi .illustrated report of the progress of the recent Conference team. The snaps of the demonstration were clear and interesting, and the views of some of tht beauty spots of Christchurch evoked warm admiration. A wide range of Gisborne and coastal "scenery gems" were shown, those of Old Gisborne being particularly fine, while one iv particular of the town as it is at present was unusual and picturesque . to a degree. The plates of the "Big Contingent Farewell," "The Queen's Funeral Demonstration," "The Vice-regal Reception," and the last formal opening of the rowing season were replete with interesting features, and were also characterised by perfect, clearness of outline. The pretty scenery of the WaimaJa was effectively presented, and the beautiful nooks at Tolaga and Mangatokerau served to show . what this district can really boast m the way 'of New Zealand scenic effects at their best. The remainder of the programme comprised snaps of the Lakes district, Auckland, and London. A hearty vote of thanks tendered to Air Thomson was unanimous and well deserved. At the annual meeting Superintendent J. Towuley presided. Secretary Nield presented a short report on the affairs of the last year, during which there had been live fires, three within the Jborough boundary, one beyond, and one an alarm m connection with a> rubbish, blaze. The

public bad responded most liberally to the call for funds to pay the expenses of the team selected to go to Christchurch, £40 having been subscribed. The sum of £& had been paid to each of the men and the balance placed to the credit of the Brigade m .then Sank. The report was adopted. — Sub-Superintendent Wildish mentioned the matter of elevated \ tanks. He thought it was about t jlue 1 that something, was done to give the j tanks the necessary elevation to provide i the Brigade with sufficient presiAire iol keep the mains always' full. Perhaps j something could be doneiu. conjunction with the business people. Under present cit cumstances, if ajire occurred, three minutes' delay was experienced before the mains were Ml, ana the Brigade got the water. This was due to the leakage m the mains. It was unfortunate for the Brigade that this leakage occurred, but under the present circumstances the matter could Hot be. remedied. — Superintendent Townley said that if there were not sufficient pressure, the balls would drop of their own weight. ■ Hence the present leakage was inevitable.! — Fireman Fraser said it was not for them to ask the insurance coinpanii?s to pay to help maintain the Bngade. -^-Superintendent Townley: If the Association can't do that I tun afraid it is beyond 6*ur power. , — Junior Foreman Jamfeson seconded tha ' motion that the Borough Council be asked to raise the tanks to a height of 30ft. — Fireman J iuser said that they would have to get people to advocate a policy of State fire insurance. — The Chairman:

Thai, of course, is another matter, and one that we are not concerned with. — The motion was carried. — The Superintendent Siiid that there were several members of the Brigade who would be willing to occupy the room attached to the Station — The proposal that this should be carried into effect was viewed with great favor, and was left m the hands of the Superintendent to arrange. — On the question of tanks, Fireman McLaughlin suggested that the water, when the tanks were raised, required for street purposes, should be drawn from the mains. This would save the wear and tear of the extra journeys that now had to be made by the cart for re-filling purposes. — The Superintendent said' that the present tanks were done. It had been proposed to erect new ones during the winter. — The election of officers resulted: Superintendent, J. Townley; Sub-Superintendent, J. Wildish; Senior For'emun :C. Neild ; Junior Foreman, I>. Jamieson ; Senior Branchman, A Thomson (all re-elected) ; Junior T.tniuchman, Newman; secretary, 0. Neild (re elected).