FIRE BRIGADES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16681, 2 March 1920, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADES.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Per Press Association. HASTINGS, March 1. The 41st annual conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association opened at Hastings to-day, Superintendent Keith presiding over an attendance of 140' delegates from the Bluff to tho North Cape. The proceedings opened by Mr; Georgs Ebbett, the Mayor, and Mr. H. M. Campbell, M.P., extending the visitors a cordial welcome to the town. The annual report stated tho amount of assets over liabilities is £47.5, as against £341 last year, and in addition to 10 presented at tho last conference gold stars had been presented during the year to A. F. Spooner (Patea), C. B. Surman (Mount Eden), E. .T. Little (Palmerston North). C. S. Rush (Palmerston North), W. S. Hart (Potonc), J. If. Crossan (Stratford), W. Rowsou (Stratford), and W. J. Gilbert (Napier). Two are to be presented this conference to J. Smith (Dannevirke). and C. W. Braggins. This makes a total of 20 presented during the 12 mouths—a record number. The following extract from the report shows that tho fir© brigadesmen responded nobly during the war. It states; “It is very gratifying for the executive to place on record the noble response made by members of the fire service throughout the Dominion in tho late national crisis, the number enrolled for all services being 1676, out of a roll number of less than 3000. The fact that over one half of our members have responded to tlfe Empire’s call should arouse a spirit of enthusiasm in the hearts of all. Wo deeply regret to state that 237 of our comrades have made the supremo sacrifice, 523 having been wounded and invalided, and five were prisoners of war. Your executive sincerely hope that our sick and wounded comrades have now been restored to health and their homes, but regret that owing to some brigades having neglected to supply the secretary with the required information a complete list cannot he compiled. In addition to the printed list two more of our comrades gained tho Military Medal—E. M'Lachlan (Gisborne) and A. Corbett Rotorua). This makes the number of military medals gained by members 43.” The conference sits to-morrow morning and Wednesday morning. Tomorrow afternoon tho Mayoress entertains the delegatee at afternoon tea, and on Wednesday afternoon ihe visiting delegates will bo motored through the surrounding district.-