FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 22 February 1899, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

(Peb Pbess Association.)

QUEENSTOWN, February 20. The Fire Brigades' Conference was continued throughout to-day. The New Plymouth delegate moved to make fires and mustera paly count for bad-, ges, and exempting monthly meetings. Ths motion was negatived.

New Plymouth then moved successfully that no member of any brigade competing at the demonstrations be allowed to act as judge, providing his brigade is competing in the event.

A further motion from New l-ly-mo-atk recommen ling" Ihat a clause be inserted in the Municipal Corporations Bill of 1897 granting power to fire inspecfors to inspect all fire prevention appliances in licensed and accommodation houses was carried.

Mr. Robbins (Hawera) then moved, and after an animated debate it wa-s resolved, that whereas this Association has from time to rime affirmed the principles of the Fire Brigades' Bill which provides for the maintenance of the fire service of the colony, and whereas the time has arrived when tha subject should be forcibly put before the public, it is therefore resolved that it be a recommendation of this Association to each brigade that they hold a public meeting to ventilate the subject. In connection with this, a deputation consisting of Secretary Rol-bins and Superintendent Smith (Christ-church)-wait upon Municipal Corporations, Associations, and companies in Wellington.

On the motion of the Invercargill delegate it nas resolved that in future the Association keep the plant, except hose and couplings, that is used at demonstrations, instead of selling ie, and forward the same to wherever the demonstration is to bs held next year, for the purpose of giving visiting teams a chance of practising with it, instead of using the local brigade gear. The committee appointed to consider the matter of musters and attendances reported, recommending the amendment of rule 11 by making twelve attendances and musters during any one year ihe minimum for tlie issue of certificates, etc. The recommendation was adopted. It was resolved to instruct the incoming executive to devise some scheme for the adequate recognition of the services of fire police and salvage corps. On the motion of Superintendent Smith (Christchurch), seconded by Secretary Robbins (Hawera), it was unanimously resolved that the Association be represented, if possible, by v team or otherwise at the Fire Brigades' Conference to be held in Paris in connection with the Exhibition of 1900, and a committee was appointed to devise ways and means. It was decided to hold the Conference and Demonstration of 1901 in ChrisLchurch during the Jubilee of Canterbury, and to defer fixing t':e place for next year's Conference for three months. Election of officers : President, Sergeant J. Smith (Rangiora) ; vice-presidents, Fupcrintendent Tingey (Palmerston) and Captain Bellringer (New Plymouth) ; secretary and treasurer, Superintendent Gilberd (Napier), at a salary of £50; auditor, F. W. Smith (Napier). Complimentary votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers, and especially to the president ' QUEENSTOWN, February 21. At the annual meeting of the Accident Assurance Society of tbe Fire Bri"u.l_ Association, the balance for the' "-par I was reported as £506. The claims totalled £61 10s. At the instance of the Napier Brigade, the rules were amended makiug intoxication a distinct bar 'to claim for benefit. Captain Fooks was elected president.