FIRE BRIGADE MATTTERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7778, 23 June 1904, Page 6

FIRE BRIGADE MATTTERS.

Breezy Discussion in the Borough Council.

At the Borough Council, meeting, on Tuesday evening, a rather brisk discussion ensued over the long-standing Fire Brigade difficulty. When the report of the Park and Fire Brigade Committee was read, Cr Eton asked for an explanation of the Committee's recommendation to tho Council: " That Captain Jenkins be given full coutrol of all Brigade plant, and that none of it be removed without his permission or that of the oflicer in charge." As an ex-member ot the Firo Brigade Committee, he would like to know what extra privilege Captain Jenkins was asking for. Tho matter had been previously settled, and a rule fixed that no plant should leave the shed without the permission of the oflicer in charge. He did not see what else they could want. Cr Jackson (Chairman of the Committee) said he thought the report spoke for itself. Tho Secretary of the Brigade had interviewed the Committee and explained the unsatisfactory position of the Brigade in regard to the management of their plant! , and that Captain Jenkins had stated that he would decline to be nominated again unless he had absolute control. There" must still bo something that the Captain was dissatisfied about.

Cr Ewington stated that if the minutes of a previous meeting were looked up they would find that Captain Jenkins had all the power. He was asking for power that he already had. There had been no friction since the Committee had settled the matter, and he considered the resolution quite unnecessary. Cr Pragnell contended that the matter had not been settled. Captain Jenkins was only asking what was reasonable. Cr Eton : What is he asking for ? Cr Pragnell: Absolute control ! The speaker further continued that the Council had thrown out all points but that. Cr Ewington maintained that Captain Jenkins already had full control. It was now for Cr Pragnell to show that he had not.

Cr Elliott suggested that there would be no harm in passing the report. It would get over the little difficulty. Cr Ewington would not agree to any such compromise, and asked for the duties of the caretaker to be read over.

The Clerk read over the duties of the caretaker, which provided that that person should be responsible for the care of all plant, he himself to be under the command of the Captain of the Brigade.

Cr Keith remarked that there seemed to be a chronic state of friction. The Brigade complained of their unsatisfactory position, and there must be something to cause the difficulty. Cr Ewington thought that if Cr Pragnell came there to champion anyone he should say what the grievance was and what was wanted.

Cr Pragncll retorted that if Cr Ewington wanted a row he could start the ball rolling himself. He (the speaker) was not going to rake up an old sore. Captain Jenkins wantad the assurance of the Council that he had full control of the plant.

Cr Ewington persisted that this was evading the question. In reply to a question the Engineer stated that there was no need for any friction. The engine was sometimes used for pumping operations, but the Brigade officers always knew where it was.

Cr Pragnell contended thattheßrigade did not always know where their plant was.

The Engineer further stated that if he wanted the "Jubilee," be would come to the Council. Since the commencement of the business, Captain Jenkins had made a series of charges that he had not been able to substantiate, and he was not going to ask him for anything. An engine would still bo wanted for pumping, and when it was he would come to the Council, and they could please themselves whether they procured him another or authorised him to take the " Jubilee." Ho was not going to have anything to say to Captain Jenkins. After some further unimportant discussion the report was adopted.