NELSON FIRE BRIGADE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13795, 16 June 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

NELSON FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL REPORT.

(From "Tho. Colonist," June 7.)

The annual report of the Nelson Fire Brigade, which was submitted to the City Council on Friday, evening, was as follows: —

''The discipline and efficiency of the members under Captain Woodward and his officers has been well maintained, and the working of the brigade has gone on most smoothly during the past 12 months. The brigade has been called together 42 times during the 1.2 months, 25 times for meetings and practices and 17 times for alarms of fires. Of the latter some considerable number were alarms for grass fires, but all were extinguished with very little damage. The brigade considers that not enough caro is exercised by those who light rubbish fires, and much time and expense to the brigade would be saved if more care was used by the pablic in this matter. The fires at buildiirgs have been much more severe than usual. Amongst them were those at the Nelson Tinware Company's, Mr A. C. Maginnitv.'s, and the three big fires in Bridge street. lam pleased to be able to state that the efforts of the brigade at the fires were most successful, and won the approbation of the public for the good work done. We also had to contend with a fire on board the s.s. Wairoa, .but this was extinguished with' very little loss. We also wish to state that four of our best firemen have at the call of their country gone to the front. Their names are Firemen Victor Sherwood, Harry Bennett, Walter Watson, and Frank Barltrop. According to the rules of the Fire Brigades' Association these four members still remain in the brigade, and are marked present at all meetings, practices and fires at which our members attend. At the same time it was felt that our brigade must still keep up its strength of members,' so new men have been elected which will make our total roll 29 instead of 25, but when our old members return no fresh members will be elected-till by resignations and other causes the number is down ag^iin to 25. These extra members will naturally increase the expenses of the brigade, as each member must be equipped with a good strong uniform. So many fires have had a deteriorating effect on our gear, and the problem of buying new hose and other gear must be faced early. The money allowed last year was barely enough for ordinary expenses, the new gear bought was very little, and we would ask your Council to increase the subsidy in order that new gear may be bought. In conclusion, your Council can rest assured that the brigade ' endeavours to so spend the subsidy allowed that the best results may be obtained, and that the members are all doing their best for the welfare of the city."