FIRE BRIGADES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 31, 13 March 1914, Page 8

FIRE BRIGADES.

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. The Christchureh Fire Boafcd and Brigade entertained the delegates to the.. Fire Brigades' Conference in the social tali at the station last evening. Amongst -those- present were: —The Mayor (Mr H. Holland.), Mr A. L. Parsons (chairman of-the Tire Board), Mr T.*'S. Hugo (Inspector of Fire Brigades), Messrs A. Williams, W. H. Cooper, and Superintendent Various toasts were honoured and 'speeches made welcoming the delegates. Prior to the entertainment a smart turnout was given by the brigade for the benefit of the yjsiting brigadesmen and for the inspection of Mr Hugo. The demonstration was made near the station in Lichfield Street, and the motor engines, the big ladder, and the Denis centrifugal pump were got to work, N playing several jets oyer the adjacent buildings in very* quick'time. . Kef erring to the brigade's exhibition, Past-president Spriggens (Wanganui) - said the brigade's work had been an eye-opener to the delegates, and he thought there was not a station better equipped in New Zealand. He advised any. brigade not getting good treatment fr.om the local authority to try to come under a fire board, since it evidently made for increased efficiency. Christchurch was well situated with regard to •fire-fighting, its main asset, being a high-pressure water supply. Now that the Act was amended, he thought many of. the smaller brigades would take the opportunity of coining under the control of a fire board. Mr Parsons, in proposing the toast of the '' United Fire Brigades' Association, '' said that the Christchureh Brigade and plant were equal, if not superior, .to any he had seen in. Australia. Past-presidents Lever (Westport) and Bellringer (New" Plymouth) both strongly advocated fire boards as better than the old system of volunte<# brigades. Superintendent Warner said he hoped that a Christchureh team would be competing at the next demonstration and a representative attending the next conference. With regard to the plant, he said he hoped before long to see a second turbine pump and an electric ladder added to the bvigade's equipment. To-day,the delegates will be taken round the city in a special tram car placed at their service by the general manager of tramways.