FIRE BRIGADES’ YEAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 8

FIRE BRIGADES’ YEAR

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE IMPROVEMENT IN FINANCES. The following annual report of the executive wa£ adopted at the annual conference of the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand at | Wanganui, yesterday:— "This year has been a very strenuous one, with one pleasing factor, viz.; the standing of the United Fire Brigades’ Association is higher than it has ever been, and no effort should be spared to keep it so. The Officers and Members’ Institute branch of the association was a very large factor in I bringing about this result, and it has : thus realised the object of its founder, J the worthy secretary. Still further | good results can be obtained from our j institute, and the time is now ripe for | the bringing of this about. j The following members have answered the final roll call since last conference: Dept. Supt. A. S. Burrows (Petone), Fireman Davidson (Hokitika), Fireman L. Doel (Hikurangi), Foreman Auckland Morrinsville), Messenger A. H. .Tagger (Matamata). Secretary M. F. King (Carterton). Fireman D. Kitchen (Feilding), Fireman W. H. Molloy (Bluff). Killed on Duty: Foreman J. H. Neill (Dargaville). Fireman N. R. Nowland (Hamilton), Ex-Supt. C. R. Phillips (Sumner and Otorohanga), Secretary Jas. Rochford (Kumapa), Ex-Fireman A. Sandall (Grey Lynn and Auckland*. Secretary P. Sander (Tauranga), Ex-Supt. W. Sterwood (New Brighton). Ex-Foreman A. E. Twist (Otaki), Ex-Fireman A. S. Wallis i (Gore), Ex-Superintendent C. C. Warner. Past President U.F.B.A. (Christchurch), and Foreman J. Workman (Greytown). “The number of brigades affiliated on November 30 was 142, a decrease of two on the previous' year. Coromandel and Te Puke have withdrawn from the association. Improved Finances ; Tup balance of assets over liabilities I I is £.1887 17s 4d, an increase of £B9 16s ' lOd This year we have to meet the costs of travelling to the Wanganui demonstration and a subsidy of £3OO in aid of same, and although materially assisted by the Government, the cost to the association will be very heavy. j “The following have received their (gold stars since last report:—C. H. Balsdon (Rotorua). A. T. Brady | (Dargaville). J. T. Campbell (Ml. Eden), L. B. Davis (Stratford). W. J. Downey (Onehunga), R. J. Dunckley I l (Blenheim), F. V. Fitzwater (Palea*,: IT. R. Ford (New Plymouth). G. Fur-i i ness 'Blenheim*. W. R. Gray (Te i Puke*. F. E. Gould (Dargaville), G. L. I Haines (Dargaville), G. Hodgson! (Rotorua*, A. Hooke (Timaru), T. Hovenden (Motueka), C. La Broome (Spit*. W. E. Mathie (Otaki), A. Mel- ■ ville (Kaponga), G. Mitchell (Cromjwell), A. H. Neild (Dargaville), A. D. .Neill (Spit), W. Padlie (Tauranga), J. IH. Ryan (Eketahuna), F. S. Simpson ! (Invercargill), A. Vause (Auckland*, iJ. A. Wallis (Gore). R. J. Walsh (Te Aroha). and T. Williams (Petone*. | The following wil Ireceive their stars iat this conference: J. C. Allfrey j (Temuka), A. J. Bennett (Nelson), T. j Dumbleton (Greymouth *. F. Groufsky I (Hokitika), E. W. Hills (Rangiora). A. I McKellar (Alexandra), G. Nelson I (Greymouth), J. H. O’Neill'-(Sumner), and H. D. Stewart. (Gore*. “There was an increase in the business done through the depot during the year, 4250 feet of hose being purchased and distributed to brigades with other appliances. Negotiations were also carried out by the secretary for local bodies and brigades, and several transactions ensued. We would again draw attention to the necessity of brigades exercising the greatest care in purchasing new hose. There are many new brands on the market, and brigades should know that these brands have been properly I tested before being ourchased. The only satisfactory test that can be made is for trial lengths of hose being sent to some brigade (preferably a permanent one) and tried out for some time at actual fire work. Central Fire Council "At the request of the Government Fire Inspector, Mr. R. Girling Butcher, the question of the creation of a Central Fire Council al Wellington has been placed on the agenda paper for consideration, and in view of the fact that proposition was discussed fully at the Hamilton conference, and practically unanimously rejected, your executive has deemed it advisable to bring down a special report on the matter for the consideration of delegates. “Through the courtesy of t’he Wanganui Brigade we are holding our conference and demonstration at that town. It is pleasing to record that we have an increase of four brigades in number competing, and 18 more teams than at the Nelson demonstration. It is hoped to further modernise our events after this demonstration is completed, and the assistance of all. members of the association is invited in this respect. “The New Zealand Fire Brigade Officers and Members' Institute continues to make progress and is undoubtedly doing great work for the fire service. Another examination was held during the year, and it has been definitely decided to hold future examinations in September each year. Examinations were held at Auckland, Pukekohe, Hamilton, New Plymouth. Hawera, Patea, Pahiatua and New Brighton. As usual, no difficulty was experienced in getting the assistance of schoolmasters in the carrying out of the examinations . Tribute to Secretary “The executive desires to convey to our Advisory Superintendent and secretary our sincere thanks for the difficult work he has done during the year. We feel that the thanks of the whole association are due to Capt. Watts for the capable manner in which he has carried out his many onerous duties during the past. The past two years have been the most strenuous since he came into office.