FIRE POLICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 75, 10 August 1868, Page 2

FIRE POLICE.

A meeting of (he members of this body wro» held ut Messrs Wilson and Alport's room*, on Saturday evening last, Mr Alport presiding. There was a numerous attendance. Mr \V. It. Mitchell explained that the meeting had been called in consequence of the misunderstanding which had arisen between the corpsr and the Borough Council, because tho fire police had refused to uccept the hook«and« ladder apparatus. The force were ever prepared to fulfil the duties which they undertook at the period of enrolment— namely, to protect property at fires, but the Borough Council de-dred that they should take charga o£ the hook-and-ladder apparatus as well. Tho sub-committee, on behalf of the force, declined to submit to any infringement of the rules, and tho advertisement in the Time* signed by the Town Clerk, calling for 50 men to serve as a fire-police, and 50 to form a salvage corps, was the result. If members were of his opinion, they would nguin enrol themselves, but subject t<> the same conditions «w those under which they were first enrolled— namely, that they should elect their own officers, and carry out the duties of the force by v code of rules drawn by themselves, without the interference of the sub-committee appointed by. tho Borough Council. Tho Chairman* alluding to the action tluit had been taken by tho Borough Council, said it would be Tcry unwixo to throw aside the services of men who had gained a certain amount of experience during the past twelve months. As a matter of courtesy, the Borough Council .•dwmld have acted with more discretion in the matter. Mr Graham said the Borough Council had no reason for ignoring the prefient force as they had done. He was quite mitfoflcd with the present officers, and would recommend the members to again enrol them* solves, If they were Invited to do so by tho Uorough Council, not, however, under nny fresh rules. Mr C. W, Bishop said the course taken by the Council seemed to him to bo very extraordinary Indeed— namely, to ignore the services of those who had been in tho force for the past twetve months. He, for one, would not go to the Council and beg for his billet for the next year, 110 felt very much hurt at such a curt, cool, and to his mind, unwarranted advertise* moat which had appeared in that morning's Times, without any allusion to the present corps. He did not agree with the proposal to beg the Council to reconsider the matter, as a request to members of the force to again enrol themselves should have come from tho Borough Council in the first place. Ho would move, therefore, " That the member* of the present police force retire at the expiration of tho term for which they wore enrolled." Mi* Fkhor seconded the motion. Tho chair* man read a letter from tho Borough Council, in which members ex reused their best thanta to the police force for the wrf vteeH II had renders! during the past twelve mouth*. Mr Mitchell moved, as an amendment, "That the members of the Christchurch Volunteer Fire Police, whilst desirous of again enrolling for the protection of property in eases of fire, n* heretofore, would suggest Uiat any Interference with their working regulations by the committee of tho Borough Council, would bo injurious to the purposes for which the body was established, and against the wishes of the force," Mr Mundy seconded the amendment, which was agreed to. Mr Bishop said that the existing fire police force had swallowed a great deal of coolness on the part of the Borough Council, and he was surprised that they had not adhered to their dignity a little more than they had. Many present stronly condemned the action which the Borough Council had taken, and attributed it more to ignorance and want of judgment than anything else. At the same time it would be unwise for tho members to retire, and thus leave the city without a force, as there was no knowing when a fire would occur. Mr Mundy moved " That the Secretary ho requested to canvass such members of the force who have attended with regularity a.4 to their joining the new enrolment on tho conditions of the resolution carried." Mr Frederick Thompson .seconded the motion which was carried, It was proposed by Mr Graham, seconded by Mr A, J, Steven*, and agreed to, " That a copy of the resolutions be

»ont lo Iho Borough Council," Avoloof thankH to tho chairman terminated tho pro* ceedlngs. _