Annual Fire Brigade Report.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7167, 31 July 1890, Page 3

Annual Fire Brigade Report.

.Tho twenty-fourth annual report of the Wanganui Volunteer 3?ire Brigade is to hand. After congratulating members on its sound financial position, the committees atate that there are no liabilities with the

exception of a loan from the members' fund, there being a cash balance o£ £14 7s 7d to "1 .commence the year with. The plant is in excellent order," and praise is given to the atation-keeper and watchman (Mr W. Seoling) for the care and attention bestowed on it. Fourteen alarms were given during tho yeai, to nino o£ which the services of the Brigade were called, the remaining five being false alarms and chimney fires. Taking into consideration the increased number of " calls," and thjt on several occasions — especially at Messrs Hatrick and Co.'s Mr W. Spriggens', Mr Q-. D. Jones', andMessra Johnston and Co.'s premises — large risks were at stake, the amount of loss is comparatively small. During the yoar the Insurance Companies have paid in claims £5600 against £4669 last year. Numerically, the Brigade is in the same position as at last annual meeting, 34 members being on the roll. The attendance at fires and practices has been moat satisfactory, and the efficiency of the Brigade is of as high a standard as at any period of its existence, as has been amply demonstrated during the year. Tho Brigade was well represented at tho Demonstration held in Wellington under the auspices of the United Fire Brigades' Association by a team consisting of Formen Kitchen McSonagle, Fireman Copeland, Carrel, and Saunders, with Fireman H. Townsend as waiting-man. The team gave an excellent account of themselves, being placed in all the events in which they competed, and winning £11 in cash and two handsome gold medals. A friendly competition between teams from the Marton and Wanganui Brigades was held here in December, on which occasion the local Bripndtt Bucceoded in defeating their frionds, hut at the return competition, held at Marfon shortly after, the tables were turned, the Marton Brigade proving the victors by winning two out of three events The committee concluded by referring to the kindness of Mr W. T. Mountforfc, who on many occasions assisted to keep the electric appliances in perfect order. To their successors they suggest the expediency of making an effort during their term of office to repay, at anyrate, a portion of the members' fund, and ask for them that consideration and hearty support accorded to the committee during their term. Tho report is signed on behalf ol tbe committee by Mr T. D. Cummins (Captain) and Mr B. Hughes (Secretary).