FIREMEN CONFER

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1935, Page 11

FIREMEN CONFER

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION MEETS. THE NEW OFFICERS INSTALLED. Representatives of eight Taranaki fire brigades attended the 24th annual conference of the Taranaki District United Fire Brigades’ Association at Patea on Wednesday. The executive members present were President A. M. Burrows, Eltham; Immediate Past President J. Zinsli, Hawera; Senior Vice-president N. R. Coad, Patea; Junior Vice-President E. Brocklebank, Stratford; Secretary C. H. Carey, Patea; Treasurer H. A. Nuttall, Eltham; and Auditor H. L. Warner, Hawera. Others present were Firemen A. H. Reesby, M. Ritter, J. Miller and F. Fitzwater. The Mayor, Mr. F. Ramsbottom, welcomed the visitors.. He said he hoped their deliberations would pave the way to the weightier problems of the United Fire Brigades’ Association conference at Blenheim. The exchange of ideas could not fail to be of value to the fire-fighting service, and he hoped their discussions would bear fruit. In reply the president expressed the pleasure they experienced at being at Patea at the invitation of the local brigade, which was probably the oldest on the coast. The brigade was as up-to-date as any in similar towns, and both . the brigade and citizens were to be congratulated. He congratulated Firemen M. Carey, F. Spooner and L. Adams and other old members on their loyalty and service. Fireman N. R. Coad in thanking the president for the tribute to the Patea brigade pointed out that the seven gold star members of the brigade had put in every day of their qualifying service of 25 years in the Patea brigade. In the annual report the executive extended hearty congratulations to Superintendent Morrison and members of the Hawera brigade ’on the confined success of their members at the examinations of the New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Officers and Members’ Institute. The executive also congratulated the members of other brigades in the association for their success in the examinations. Since “Fire Prevention Week” was started a year or two ago it had reduced the fire losses throughout the Dominion. Tire brigades throughout the Dominion would again hold “Fire Prevention Week,” commencing on March 18 next, when much useful matter would be distributed to business men and householders. During the year the Patea brigade celebrated its jubilee

The inclusion in the • balance-sheet of subscriptions paid following the close of the financial year was questioned by Deputy-Superintendent Zinsli, who stated that a misleading financial position was indicated. General discussion ensued on the point raised and on the doubt raised Whether the sums in question—the annual subscriptions of Taranaki brigades to the association —were payments for 1934 or 1935. It was decided that the incoming executive make a full examination of the books to determine to what date subscriptions were paid and acquaint the brigades of the position. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The chairman, speaking to the report, appealed to the young firemen of Tara- ■ naki to follow the example set by Super- , intendent Morrison and others who had passed examinations. The methods and equipment were constantly changing and firemen should keep abreast of progress . and equip themselves for executive and ' administrative positions. Relative to “Fire Prevention Week,” a great deal of in- ; formation of great value had been diseminated that would prove to be a factor ; in fire prevention and in the elimina- ; tion of causes of outbreaks. He suggested that the delegates and executive should consider the preparation of papers on subjects of interest to firemen for . reading at future conferences. ; Badges were presented to the past presidents, Messrs. Nuttall, C. Carey and Zinsli, by the president. The badges for other past presidents not present will be dispatched to the brigades concerned . for presentation, it was decided. A provisional invitation to hold the next conference at Eltham was submiti ted by the chairman, who stated that it was hoped to have the main in the domain repaired so that it would be possible to hold the demonstrations there. Discussion was deferred until May, when the Eltham brigade would have more information. Officers were installed as follows:— President, Mr. N. R. Coad, Patea; senior vice-president, Mr. E. Brocklebank; junior vice-president, Mr. H. L. Warner; secretary, Mr. C. H. Carey; treasurer, Mr. H. A. Nuttall. - . . The new president announced his intention of developing closer contact between the association and the Taranaki, brigades by visiting them at least once. He had not a great experience of some phases of the association’s business but he was confident that with the support of his officers the association’s interests would not suffer. At the conclusion of business an invitation to attend a social gathering at the brigade station was extended by Captain F. Fitzwater and accepted by the visitors.