FIRE FIGHTERS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 39, 21 February 1929, Page 3

FIRE FIGHTERS

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD.

The seventeenth annual conference of the Taranaki District Unit-

ed Fire Brigades’ Association was held at Inglewood on Tuesday evening. The following answered the roll call: Deputy-Superintendent Andrews (Waitara), _Dep.-Supt. Reed (Inglewood), Fireman F'awcett (Stratford), Foreman Glentworth (Eltham), Fireman PetlfeU, (Haw'era), Foreman Judson (M'anaia), Dep.-Supt. Tyack (Kaponga), Fireman Mackin (Patea), Fireman Courtenay (New Plymouth). The following past presidents of the As-

sociation were present: Supt. Nuttall, Supt. Grubb, Supt. White, Secretary AUken, Captain Carey, Capt. White.

Supt. Crossman, in opening the conference, apologised for the unavoidable absence of the president

of the Association, Custodian F l . DouJghiley. Hje hopcfd that J.heir deliberat/lonsi \that evening would be for the betterment of brigades throughout the year. He then called upon Mr F. Spur die to wmlcome the visiting delegates. In welcoming the delegates, Mr Spurdle said that the Mayor (Mr: J. W. Winfield) was unable to be present, but 1 he wished the conference every success. The speaker emphasised the good work done by brigades, and, speaking from, experience of his own brigad(e, he said that fires did not get a chance. Flo hoped the conference would result in the better working r and closer co-operation of brigades in the district.

Fireman Courtenay apologised for the absence of Supt. Boon, of the New Plymouth Brigade. Supt. Boon had been called away owing to the serins illness of his brother, which, the speaker was sorry to say, had ended fatally. To the same cause could be attributed the absence of Custodian Doughtey.

Supt. Crossman moved a motion of sympathy with Supt. Boon in the loss of his brother. The motion • was carried in silence. ANNUAL REPORT, The secretary then read the executive’s report f°r the past year as fpllowsYour executive has pleasure in presenting this, the seventeenth, annual report and balancesheet for the year just ended, and desire t'o thank the officers and members of the affiliated brigades for their whole-hearted co-operation and support during their term of icflice. Your executive have not met during the year, there not being any business of importance to transact. Finance: The balancesheet speaks for itself, the finances of the Association being in a very flourishing condition, the amount of assets over liabilities being being £35 4s 9d., The Taranaki District Volunteer Fire Brigade Association conference should have been held during this year, but on account of the N.Z.V.F.B.A. holding demonstrations at Hokitika this Association has had to postpone same. Conference and demonstration for 1930: Invitations will be received this evening from delegates representing their brigades for conference and demonstration for 1930. There are no remits through from the various brigades to deal with this evening. In conclusion, your executive desires to thank all brigades for their loyalty to this Association, and hopes the incoming accorded them as has been our pi ioffleers will have the same support) vilege to receive.—For the executive, F. Doughtey, president; A. N. Burrows, secretary.

The balance-sheet was also read, and showed a credit balance of £35 4s 9d.

In mdving 1 the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Supt. Nuttall congratulated the Association on the satisfactory state of the bal-ance-sheet. This, the speaker explained, was largely due to the delegates paying their own expenses to the conferences. For the previous year the expenses of the Association had been, apart from tbe secretary’s honorarium of five guineas, the sum of 1-1. Snpt. Crossman endorsed the pvevilous speaker's remarks and emphasised the value of having a reserve fund in case of any unforseen call on the Association’s funds.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Officers for the [ensuing year

were elected us follows: —President, Supt. E. Crossman; Senior Vicepresident, Dept. L. Murray; Junior Vice-president, Dep.-Supt. Tyack; secretary, Fireman, A. N. Burrows; treasurer, Supt. H. Nuttall; auditor, Supt. Grubb. The secretary was voted the usual honorarium of five guineas. ]VEXT CONFERENCE.

It 1 was decided to hold the next (inference and demonstration at Eltham. In extending the invitation, Supt. Nuttall moved a recommendation to the incoming executive that all brigades in the district! in their turn, should, with the exception of Manaia, hold the conference and demonstration. The speaker felt sure that the stronger brigades would be willing to help the smaller brigades financially and otherwise to make the demonstration a success. He excepted Manaia,, which had not! a isuitablfe ground with the necessary watersupply.

Supt. Crossman said that Manaia was not alone in this respect, as Inglewood had not a water system on the (only available ground! on which a demonstration could be held.

Captain Carey said that' the mam thing against the smaller brigades holding the demonstration was the large prize list which was necessary. He thought that as most brigades entered for the fun of the thing, the prize money should be reduced and more trophies given.

Supt. Nuttall invited all brigades to attend the annual meeting of the Eltham Fire Brigade in July. Two members of the Brigade were to be presented with gold stars to mark the completion of 25 years’ service, and he could guarantee all visitors a merry time.

Acceptances were general from the delegates.

OFFICERS INSTALLED.

The installation of officers then

to'ok place

On behalf of the retiring president, Custodian F. Dought'ey, Supt. Grubb installed Supt. Crossman as President for the ensuing year. He hoped that he would have a very successful year as president and that he would associate himself with fire brigade matters for many years to come.

Supt Crossman then called upon the other elected officers to take their places at the executhe table, and hoped they would have an amicable term of office.

The incoming officers returned thanks for the conlßlence placed

in them

Supt. Nuttall said that before the conclusion of the meeting he wish-, ed bo congratulate the Inglewood Brigade on the manner in winch they had entertained the delegates to the last New Zealand conference at New Plymouth. On the motion of Supt. Nuttall it was res'olved that Past President Doughtey’s name be engraved on the merit board. Votes of thanks to the Inglewood Brigade for the use of its station and to the Press concluded the conference. SOCIAL TO DELEGATUS. 41 the conclusion of the conference delegates and visiting firemen adjourned bo 'the Town Hall supper room, where a tempting array of refreshments had been laid. After appetites had been sated a short toast list was honoured, and Jnusical items were rendered.

The following is the toast list: “The King,” Supt. Crossman; 'nocal Bodies,” proposed by Dep.-Supt. Reed, response, Messrs F. Spur die (Borough Council), W. Smilth (Chamber c( ! Commerce) and tf| Busan (County Council); “Gold Stars,” proposed by Mr J. Sutherland, 'response, Supt. Nuttall and Supt. Grubb; “Inglewo'od Fire Bri)gadef proposed by Supt. Nuttall, response, Supt. Grossman and Secretary T. Bindsay; “Fire Police,” proposed hy Supt. Grossman, response, Mr C. Bist; “The Badies,” proposed .by Mr B. 'Larson, reMr L. Pope; “The Musicians,” proposed by Dep.-Snpt. Reed, response, Mr J. Sutherland; “The Press,” proposed by Dop.-Supt. Murray, response), j\|Ossrs jDgvers eaux and N. Grossman.

Musical items were rendered by Messrs W. Smith, D. MjcAUister and J. Sutherland, and Caplt. Carey and Secretary Burrows.