TE AWAMUTU VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 186, 7 February 1913, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

GENERAL MEETING. A general meeting of members of the above brigade was held in the Cosmopolitan club room on Tuesday evening, the chair being taken by Captain Bickerstaff. The roll call was read, the following members being present : Captain Bickerstaff and Firemen Edwards, Moeller, Haselden, Stewart, Andrew, Ross, Amor, and Warner. Minutes.

The minutes of the initial meeting of the brigade were read and confirmed. Officers.

The following officers were elected:— Lieutenant, Fireman Amor; foreman, Fireman Moeller ; secretary, Fireman Edwards; messenger, Fireman Stewart ; treasurer, Fireman Bockett; hon. auditors, Firemen Lawson and Battson.

Report

The secretary reported that the committer had held four meetings, and had been in correspondence with a number of brigades and local bodies with a view to finding out the best method of working and the steps to be taken to place the brigade on a proper footing. Some fifty rules had been drawn up, and would be submitted to the meeting for confirmation. Mr Lenehan had very kindly donated to the brigade a steel crowbar, and Mr Amor some oil drums, to which Mr Battson was affixing handles. Two bucket stands were to be erected, and a 12ft ladder placed at each stand. Mr Warburton had very kindly offered to arrange a concert for the benefit of the brigade on the 19th inst. The captain of the Taumarunui Fire Brigade would be in Te Awamutu shortly, and had promised to give a demonstration with a pump and chemical fire extinguisher. Permission had been given by the Rev. Woollass to make use of the Presbyterian Church bell in case of an alarm of fire. Rules.

The rules and by-laws of the brigade were dealt with seriatim, and duly confirmed.

Affiliation.

A letter was read from the secretary of the United Fire Brigades' Association pointing out the advantages which would accrue to the Te Awamutu brigade by affiliation with the Association. These included a free railway pass for one delegate to the Association Conference at Wanganui, accident insurance for members, and assistance at all times. The entrance fee would be £l is, and yearly subscription £2 15s.

After some discussion it was resolved to affiliate with the Association at once, and the secretary was appointed a delegate to attend the conference at Wanganui on 14th February.

Insurance.

It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to communicate with the United Fire Brigades' Association re insurance of members. Concerts.

A letter was read from the Manager of the British and Continental Piano Co. agreeing to supply free of charge printed programmes for the brigade's concert on 19th inst.

,It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to reply thanking the manager for so doing. The secretary announced that the Te Awamutu Minstrel, Concert, and Comedy Club had kindly promised to give a concert next month in aid of the brigade, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the club for so doing. Honorary Medical Officers.

It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to write to Drs Henderson and Reekie inquiring if they would consent to be appointed honorary medical officers to the brigade. Funds. A canvassing committee, consisting of Captain Bickerstaff, Lieutenant Amor, Foreman Moeller, and Firemen Le Sueur, Lawson, and Battson, was appointed. It was resolved that a meeting be held and lists made out with a view to a house-to-house canvass of the town for subscriptions, such lists to show the estimated cost of the appliances required by the brigade. Captain Bickerstaff reported that on behalf of the-committee he had interviewed three members of the Town Board, all of whom were favourable to the brigade, and willing to do their utmost to support it. It was resolved that the matter of dividing the town into wards, with a number of rings for each ward, be brought up by the committee when waiting on the Board at next Thursday's meeting. New Members. The following new members were proposed for election at the next general meeting : —Messrs J. Milroy, S. Richards, W. Bonnar, H. Turner, and Geo. Paul (Junr.) At the local Methodist Church on Sunday nv ■■• Miss Dil will sing the sold, ' into Thy Hands."