ASHBURTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1503, 1 April 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGAD E.

A meeting of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the old Council Chambers last evening. There were 12 members present, and Fireman W. E. Dolman, the Borough Custodian, occupied the chair. The Chairman drew the attention of the meeting to the by-law framed by the Council, which provided that applicants for membership; should be proposed by the Brigade aud accepted by the Borough Council. Notwithstanding this by-law he noticed that two members had been accepted at the last meeting of the Council without reference to the Brigade. Mr James Keir, one of the members referred to, explained that he had been informed by members of the Brigade that application should be made to the Conn oil, and he had accordingly done so. Mr R. Christie, the other member referred to, made a similar explanation to that tendered by Mr Keir, and both of the gentlemen were elected members of the Bridge. On the motion of Fireman Parkin, seconded by Fireman Davis, it was resolved to appoint five members of the Brigade, viz , Firemen W, E. Dolman, Parkin, Keir, Higgins, and Davis to confer with the Fire Brigade Committee of the Borough Council in respect to the bye-laws, as suggested by the latter body, on Tuesday next at 7.30 p.m. Secretary Higgins suggested that the mem bers appointed to meet the Committee of the Borough Council should

acquaint themselves with the old and new by-laws previous to the conference. The Chairman read the newspaper report of the remarks made by Cr Harrison at the last meeting of the Borough Council, and said that as he wished to place the action taken by their Secretary in a proper light before the public ha would be glad to have an expression of opinion from mem- . bers. The Secretary said that he had attended the conference referred to by Cr Harrison between the Fire Brigade Committee and the Brigade, but that he had not created any disturbance, obstructed the business nor asked any frivolous questions. He considered that he or any other member present at that meeting had a perfect right to object to any rule that appeared unworkable, and to make any suggestion he thought advisable. The Secretary explained that the question put, which appeared to irritate Cr Harrison, had reference to the private funds of the Brigade, and was by no means of a frivolous character.—Fireman Parkin said that he had attended the conference, and by the action of Or Harrison in tho chair had been unable to place faia views before the meeting. —lt was resolred, “ That the Secretary send the following resolution to the Borough Council, viz :

‘ 1 hat the members attending the meeting referred to by Cr Harrison deny the whole of the statements made to the Borough Council by that gentleman, and that Mr Higgins did in no way cause trouble or obstruct the business, nor ask any unnecessary question.” The Secretary denied the charge, made by Cr Harrison, to the effect that he (Mr Higgins) said the Mayor had stated that Or Harrison had no business at the meeting called for the consideration of the by-laws. The members of the old Brigade present testified that the difficulties which led to the disband of the old Brigade had in no way been caused by Mr Higgins, but that that gentleman had as Secretary discharged his duties diligently and well. It having been’ arranged that the next meeting of the Brigade should be held on Wednesday, April Bth, the roll was called and the meeting adj urned.