FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9044, 10 March 1908, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

OPENING PROCEEDINGS.

OFFICIAL WELCOME,

The 1908 Conference (the 29th) of the United Fire Brigades' Association opened in Masterton yesterday morning, the large meeting room of thfl Exchange Buildings, in Queen Street, being specially fitted up for the holding of the Conferer.ce. The President of the Association, Captain A. C. Hansen, Westport, presided. The first business done was the calling of the roll, ard on this being concluded the delegates present were shown to be as follow : Past Presidents Captain Winn, Lawrence; Captain Toomey, Lyttelton; Superintendent James Smith, Rangiora; Foreman G. Wildish, Gisborne; Captain V. P. Lucas, Spit; Superintendent F. C. J. Beilingc»\ New Plymouth; Lieutenant W. Baker, Gore. Delegates—Addington Workshops, Hydrantman M. G. Wood; Thames, Captain Waddison; Timaru Railway, Foreman H. Archer; Woodville, Hydrantman J. Backwith; Waimate, Foreman N. Mines; Wanganui, Captain G. Sprigging; Westport, Lieut. A. Leaver; Waihi, Fireman E. N. Johns; Waipawa, Fireman Mark, H. oclby; Featherston, Captain Check; Lower Hutt, Lieut. G. A. Mcllvride; Richmond. Secretary Stone; Spit, Branchman H. Smith; Stratford, Captain R. H. Ki veil; Sumner, Superintendent Phillips; St. Kilda, Foreman S. Garbutt; South Brook, Secretary R. Hamilton; Te Aroha, Fireman J. Saltz; Teniukn, Fireman W. Blythe; Timaru, Captain Peter Campbell; Pahiatua, Captain T. T. McAlister; Port Chalmers, (proxy), Foreman S. Garbutt; Patea, Captain W. Glenny; Picton, Captain D. Godfrey; Palmerston South, Lieut. G. McGregor; Paeroa, Secretary P. E. Brenon; Petone Railway, Fireman E. H. Home; Petone, Fireman H. Turner; Rangiora, Foreman Ford; Reefton, Captain J. Sunderland;Roslyn, Foreman J. White; Masterton Police, Lieut. J. Budd; Napier Railway, Fireman G. E. Williams: Napier, Branchman Hillson; Napier Police, Secretary O. W. Brook; New Plymouth, Fireman W. Way; Napier, Assistant Auditor J.- W. Garner; Naseby, Fireman Simeon Kirbv; Nelson, Secretary E. E. Boyes; Oamaru, Captain Mainland; OneI hunga, Secretary C. A. Osborne; Palmerston N., Superintendent Tingey; Parnell, Firman Thos. McKay, Captain King; Invercargill, Secretary A. Harkness; Inglewood, Captain Rolston; Kumara, Foreman E. Muhihill; Kaiapoi, Rvawetiman J. A' Mealings; Lytt.eJton Volunteer, retary J. Eames; Levin, Secretary J. McTaggat; Marten, Superintended J J. MacPonakl; Mjlton, Firenmif H. Moyes; Mastertoii, Oflptain Jenkins; Mt. Eden, Fireman P. combe; Mt. Albert (proxy), Superintendent J. Fenton; Grey Lynn, Superintendent John Fenton; Greymouth, Foreman Patrick Dare; Hawera, Secretary B. C. Bobbins; Hastings, Lieut. W. Keith; Hillside Workshups, Fireman H. W. Hesd; Hokitika, Secretary A. A. Andrews; Hamilton, Lieut. Burgess; Hawera Police, Lieut. 11. Brunnette; Invercargill Railway (proxy), W. Baker; Islington (proxy), Dunedin South, Fireman N. Johnson; Eltham, Deputy Superintendent A. Rogers; Epstcwn Railway, Captain G. Holland; Feilding, Superintenent Geo. 11. Say well; Fitzroy, Foreman W. H. Griffiths; Grey town, Captain A. T. Webster; Gore, Foreman F. Wallis; Gisborne, Fireman G. Lapidge; Fireman D. Jog; Clyde, Pioneer, Henry Geo. Wright; Christchurch, City, Superintendent E. Smith; Christchurch Railway, Branchman J. Pelling; Dannevirke, Foreman W. Minton; Dunedin Railway, Captain W. Mitchell (proxy); Dunedin City, Fireman Conway; Devonport, Secretary Jas. Gasson; Akaroa, Superintendent C. Godwin; Alexandra South, Fireman Wra. Hewitt; Ashburton, Captain T. Barber; Auckland City, Fireman R. Meek; Auckland Railway, Lieut. 11. H. Richardson; Archill, Branchman J. H. Houghton; Blenheim, Lieut. Hodson; Bluff, Captain C. C. Little; Caversham, Secretary G. Will; Carterton, Fireman G. Canton. The President then addressed the meeting as follows: — "Vice-Presidents and Gentlemen, —ln declaring the 29th annual conference of the Association opeh, I cordially welcome the delegates asisfembled, and trust your deliberations !vsill be productive of many important advantages to the fire service of the dominion. I deeply regret that during the past year many of the old and greatly respected members of our Association have, through failing health or business engagements, been compelled to withdraw from active service. The thanks of the Association are due to those men, who have done so much in assisting to raise the fire service of the dominion to its present standard. At this Conference you will be called upon to considerthe revision of rules and competition conditions as well as other business detailed on the order paper. The Fire Brigades Act of 1906, was, during the recent session of Parliament, repealed, and another Act passed containng many new and important clauses, notably the 2,000 population basis necessary for the Act to operate, and also provision for the dissolution of any Fire Board. Under the latter clause the Council of the City of Wellington has applied to the Governor-in-Council to abolish the Fire Board already established in that city. The Mayor of Wellington when discussing this matter in the Council has, to my mind, entirely lost sight of the important advantages to be derived under the Act, and the arguments advanced by him prove, most conclusively, the Council's action to be one of great weakness, against the interests of the ratepayers of that city, inri entirely in opposition to an improved and more effective fire service. The Mayor lavs stress upon the dangers of allowing the control of the Fire Service and plant to depart from the Council to a separate body. I ask is not the Fire Service under almost every Council in the dominion controlled by a committee of that Council? And if the committee can successfully manage that department, how much greater results would they achieve when assisted by three representatives from the Insurance Companies, who from the nature of their

business,' cannot be. classed other than experts, apart from the expert advice to be derived from the Inspector. 1 think any man who has had any practical experience in the fire service of the dominion will admit the best interests of the Fire Department of any city would be much better served by a Board whose only duty was the carrying out of that department rather than by a City Council whose attention is commanded in so many channels. Viewing this, as also the considerable saving of at least £5,000 per annum to the ratepayers, the Wellington Council, by its action, has committed a serious error, which again demonstrates the wisdom of the Association in urging legislation dealing with the Fire Ser vice of the dominion when we find such a grave error as the one above referred to. In this clause appears a danger of the Act not being taken advantage of in some of the towns, where the poll has already been carried, owing to the Board demanding an efficient and complete service, the cost of which at first sight may_ appear much in excess of the previous annual cost to the local body. But the fact of the improvements effected, together with the increased security and general improved conditions to successfully cope with outbreaks of fire must be considered, for the cost of new or additional plant is not recurring, and the first outlay, when averaged over a tew years, will be found in most cases to be even less than under the old and insecure conditions. Having pointed out the serious consequences which may fol low through an incorrect impression, I would advise all delegates on their return, to place this important matter before their brigades with a view to drawing the attention of the local authorities to the risk of defeating the work of the Association and the objects of the Act. If this is done I am confident that the good work accomplished through the operation of similar Acts, in other parts of the world, will be repeated in the dominion to the advantage and safety of its people. The recent large fires which have occurred throughout the dominion are, in themselves, a sufficient object lesson for the necessity of enforcing stringent laws for the protection of property from loss by fire. In this connection it is probable that if proper fire supervision, appliances and methods had been provided, together with adequate building laws, the loss to the State would have been considerably minimised. These necessary adjuncts to safety are, 1 am pleased to say, provided under the new Act, and I would advise those Brigades which have not already taken advantage of the Act to give the matter their immediate attention, as the poll must be taken at an early date. The thanks of the Associated Brigades are due to trie Government for giving effect to the objects which the Association has agitated for during the last quarter of a century. In conclusion,! trust to receive the loyal assistance of the delegates in conducting the business of the session, and that our deliberations may benefit the objects of the Association. I now declare the Conference open." Captain Jenkins (Masterton) then introduced Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine), and Crs J. Prentice, J. Yarr, J. C. Ewington, J. H. Pauling, A. Haughey and W. Pragnell, the delegates rising as these gentlemen entered. The Mayor, in welcoming the delegates on behalf of the town of Masterton, said he esteemed it a great honour to do so. When the idea was first mooted to hold the conference in Masterton the speaker and others said "By all means have it here if possible," and the local brigade deserved praise for its successful efforts in bringing to Masterton such a fine body of men. It was indeed pleasing to see so large a number "f brigadesmen decorated with medals and other honours won in a noble and self-sacri-ficing cause. His Worship said the conference was unique inasmuch as it was held after the first year of operation of the Fire Brigades Act, which was instituting a new and better order of things. He again extended to them a hearty welcome, and hoped they would enjoy their stay in Masterton. (Applause). Mr Hogg said he felt extremely gratified thst New Zealand could boast such a magnificent organisation as the United Fire Brigades Association, composed as it was of such a fine body of men. The objects of fire brigades so appealed to the community as a whole that it was unnecessary for the speaker to dwell upon them. It was, hawever, a pleasing matter for the speaker that the House had put through the Fire Brigades Act, with its important provisions. It was always a mystery to him how firemen, who performed an entirely voluntary service at the sacrifice of their own time and comfort should in a democratic country be dependent on such a fluctuating thing as public charity. Now the burden of maintenance of brigades would be placed upon the right shoulders—viz., the insurance underwriters, the local bodies and the Government. It was only right that th° Government should recognise its liability, as it had in every town of importance public buildings, and structures where the services of a fire brigade might be required at any time. Only recently the local brigade had performed splendid service in saving some valuable bridges. The speaker hoped the delegates would thoroughly enjoy their ' stay in Masterton. He knew from experience that, socially, firemen were a splendid body of men, and no one could tell a better yarn or enjoy a sing-song better than they—and that often over mere ginger beer! (Laughter and applause.) Mr Hogg, in conclusion, said he would ever be found endeavouring to further the interests of such a noble institution as the fire brigade service of New Zealand. (Applause.) The President, in returning thanks to the Mayor and Mr Hogg, said it was pleasing to hear such laudatory remarks, and as firemen were trained from their entry into the service to lae quick in action they ware also quick to recognise the heartfelt expressions of sympathy which the welcome speeches had contained. The President said he and his conference were grateful to those who had entertained them so pleasantly on Sunday, and they felt their stay would throughout be most enjoyable. It was particularly pleasing to hear from Mr Hogg that he would do his best in the interests of firemen, as the

Fire Brigades Act, though a fine measure, needed a deal of modification before it was a thoroughly workable measure. He concluded by again thanking them for their kindly welcome. This concluded the formal welcome, and three cheers were then given by the delegates for the Mayor and Councillors, and also for Mr Hogg, who | then withdrew. FORMAL BUSINESS. i The minutes of the last conference held in Christchurch were then read and confirmed. The balance-sheet tor the past year's working was read (a summary of which appeared in the executive report), and duly received, after which the executive report was presented and adopted. The conference decided unanimously to suspend the Queenstown Brigade for failing to take the steps requested by last conference in regard to a member of that brigade who misconducted himself at Christchurch, the brigade having also failed to reply to the letters of the secretary bearing on the matter. A motion tabled by the Napier Brigade that the whole of the rules ! of the Association be revised was* carried unanimously. _ | The rules were then dealt with seriatim. Secretary Robbins (Hawera) moved that Rule 3 be altered to allow of any brigade appointing a member of another brigade as a delegate, and that such brigade may also be represented by proxy.—After a long discussion this was carried. ' It was resolved to impose a fine of half a guinea for failure on the part of brigades in future to send in certified copies of accountsInglewod Brigade (Captain Rolston) had a notice of motion on the Order Paper to the effect that nominations for the executive officers be in the hands of the various brigades a fortnight previous to the conference. Captain Holland, of Eastown, seconded the motion, which was debated at some length. It was ultimately carried by 42 votes to 38. The conference then adjourned until the afternoon.