FIRE BRIGADE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143768, 17 April 1912, Page 7

FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade was held in the Central Fire Station on Tuesday evening. There was a good muster of firemen.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —Superintendent, F. Bellringer; sub-superintendent, A. Boon; Central foreman, J. Roberts; West foreman, J. Johnson; East foreman, J. Clark; hook and ladder foreman, T. Partington; secretary, H. Ford; treasurer, F. Bellringer ; executive committee, W. Sadler and W. Rock; Central custodian, A. Courtney; East custodian, G. Lambert; auditors, AV. AA'ay and F. Moverley. All tho above-named were re-elected. A. Clark was elected a member and P. J. Allen an auxiliary member. Superintendent F. Bellringer was presented with the two years’ service bar, completing 27 years’ service. Fireman H. Moon, tho delegate to the recent Firo Brigades’ Confoieuoe, submitted ins report. It was decided to hold the annual ball as usual on June 3, and also to ask Mrs. Dockrill to take the presidency. Tho Superintendent (Air. F. Bellringer) submitted tho following resume of the year’s work:—“Again at your annual gathering I have the honour of addressing yon on brigade matters. It is with pleasure I have to congratulate you on the regular attendance you have given to brigade duties during tho past year, and to tho successful results of your efforts in fire-extinguishing and fire-prevention. Whilst the calls to actual fires have been few, tho attendance and work from the firemen was all that could reasonably be expected from volunteer firemen. The Fire Board (tho controlling authority) has been active in mooting all the requirements of the brigade, and in view of extension of territory to be brought under ti e care of tho brigade, have purchiuuid a new site in Liardot Street for tho erection of a central station, the area of land at the present station being totally inadequate for the accommodation needed at a modem fire station. That additional plants in the direction of motor power will have to be provided now that tho suburbs have to bo protected, is evident, and increased accommodation at the West End and at Fitzroy will have to be considered in the near future. New Plymouth have tho men able, and willing, to work, and up-to-date plant will have to be provided to meet the increased demands. The member's have reason to be proud of the position they have brought tho brigade to and of the good feeling at all times manifested to them by the residents of New Plymouth. Alay it long continue to occupy this desirable state, and may tho good feeling now existing between officer and men continue for all time. . You will shortly have the report from your delegate at the Rotorua conference, in which you will see that the association of the fire brigades of tho Dominion are on the alert in improving the service and reducing the risk of firo loss throughout tho Dominion. The conference in every respect was a great success and evidenced a- forward movement in all branches of tho society. Firemen, I thank you for your loyalty and obedience to me during the year, and I trust that our united efforts, have been such as will impart confidence to the general public of New Plymouth.” At the conclusion of tho (justness the annual dinner was held. A programme of musical and vocal items was gone through, musical items being contributed by Afessrs. Carbines, Gibbs, Brooks, and A r iucon, and songs by ATcssrs. Lovell, Somerville, E. Clarke, M’Ewen, Moon, Courtney, JMalatn, and Johnson, and recitations by Messrs. Vincen and Priest.