Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2893, 8 February 1893, Page 2

Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Aahburton Volunteer Fire Brigade wae held last evening at the Brigade Station, The Captain, Mr A. A. Fooks, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of numbers. The Captain in his review of the past year congratulated the Brigade on ifcfl generally satisfactory position and the harmonious and willing manner in which the member* had worked together. It had been manifest that onß and all had the one desire of carrying out the object they hid volunteered to perform—the saving of life and property. The plant, under the care of Engineer Dolman was in a most serviceable, clean, and orderly state. After the "Clothing Factory fire it was deemed advisable to apply to the Borough Council for 400^ feet of befet canvas hose for the steamer, and some other minor necessaries ; these had now arrived and would be ready for use in a few days. Lamps for the curmle had also been obtained, and the manual is about to undergo a thorough repair. It is encouraging to note the ready manner ' in which the Council have supported the Brigade in its endeavour to keep the olanc up to the standard. No refusal had been received to any application for necessary improvements or additions to the plant. The carriage for the hook-and-iadder plant, however, was totally unsuitable ; efforts should be made to obtain an improvement, and he would suggest chat it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to consider tha best means of obtaining a more suitable carriage. During the year some important changes had taken place in the roil of members. The new officers and members had proved desirable inquisitions. The Brigade had now a total efficient strength of twenty-four of all ranks. The last year had bt«n the most eventful since the establishment of the Brigade, owin b to four tires having occurred. At tha t&ibt Sstreet fire the whole of the plant Irad been called into action, and its efficiency and that of the members were laxed to the utmost in staying the conflagration. The estimated loss of property by tire during the year was about £3000, and the property saved was certainly ten times as> much. He had on a previous occasion referred to the good work done by the United Fire Brigades' Association, and need not go over the ground again! The financial position of the Brigade was that the receipts for the year (including £47 10a 2d balance from the previous year) amounted to £161 7s Bd, and the expenditure to £134 15s 4d, leaving a balance cf cash in Bank and in hand of £26 12s id. Considering that the expenses during the year had been unusually heavy, this was, satisfactory, but extreme economy would have to be observed during tlje ensuing year in order to meet the current expenses. Lieutenants Pauling and Miles and Foreman JNokes expressed pleasure with the satisfactory character of the report. The report and balance sheet were adopted unanimously. A vote of thanks was passed to the auditors, Messrs Comptoi; and Baker. The following officers and committee were elected for the ensuing year:— Captain—A. A. Focks; Lieutenants— J. H. Pauling, J, Miles; Secretary and Treasurer—H. H. Fookß ; Auditors—W. de B. Compton, J. W. Baker; Committee —The foregoing and firemen Voices, Barber, and Dorm. It was resolved that no delegate be sent to the United Fire Brigades Association conference this year.

After the business meeting the annual dinner of the Brigade was held in the Orderly Room. An excellent dinner was served by Mr James Lane, Somerset Hotel) and was done ample justice to. His Worship the Mayor presided, and after dinner read apologies from Councillors Thptnajs and Cuthtartson and Messrs Hugo priedlarider and <7. M. Cambridge, and verbal apologies were made for other citizens. Che toasts o/ "The Queen!' and "The Government and Parliament of New Zealand "were then given, the latter being responded to at a later period of the evening by the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lieutenant Pauling . proposed " The Borough Counpil," expressing pleasure with the amicable relations which existed between that body and the Brigade. The Mayor responded in cordial terms. Lieutenant Miles proposed "The Borough Council," referring to the good work they had done by bringing down water for fire prevention in the district. Engineer Dolman proposed "The United Fire Brigades Association." To this body the Brigades owed much of the standing and recognition that they had Attained, and though all might not think alike he thought the Brigades should support the Association. ' : < Captain Fooks responded, giving ex amples of the. benefit's which had' been derived by membership of the Assbcfar tfon. He pqinted out the necessity for firemen conferring with each other in order lo gain the advantage of each other's experience as to the best means of fire prevention, the working of brigades, drill, and other matters, and hoped _ the Brigade would reconsider their decision not to appoint a delegate. The Mayor gave the toavst of the even" in«, " The Ashburton Voluateer Fire ' Brigade," briefly alluding to their valuable services to the town, : Captain ijCooks and Lieutenants Miles and Pauling replied ' His Worship then at the request of j Captain Foaks presented long' service i bVrs—doiiotpg seven yeais' service ~J:p, Foreman i^okes and Foreman Baker, with appropriate remarks to cash. The recipients suitably acknowledged thei presentations. PtytaU) Fyoks proposed ths <s?fc.

Firemen," to which Messrs Quane, Bnddell, and Steel responded. Mr Braddell remitked that he did not think th-it the Firo <n»urahce Association would go to the length :»f withdrawing the annual subsidy. Mr Steel advocated the organisation of ex-firumeu into a body which would be useful at fir. s, such as fire police. Captain Fooks next proposed " The Interests of Fire Prevention," coupled vith the narhe of Mi.j ( .r Steward, referring to the proposals to legislate in the interest of Fi-e Brigades. He held that thu Brigadas should be maintained by the local bodies rather than by the insurance . , companies. His holding this opinion had ciused him to decline election to the office of President of the Association, as li" " ished the party in favor of taxing the i trance companies to see what they could do in the way of legislation. Major Steward explained the provisions of the Bill introduced but not carried last session, and believed a Fire Brigades or Fire Prevention Bill would be passed before long. The Bill had proposed that the Government, the local bodies, and the insurance companies should contribute in certain proportions for the maintenance of Brigades, under ecu-tain safeguards, one of which would be a system of instruction and inspection in drill, &c. He believed in the principle that definite provision should be made for fire prevention. Lieut. Pauling proposed " The Hon. Surgeon, Dr. Tweed," making reference to the idea of forming an ambulance class in connection with the Brigade, which had fallen through some time ago when it seemed about tc be realized. Dr. Tweed was glad to hear amhulanea work referred to, as it was of great importanca in connection with a fire brigade. At the Municipal Conference he was a member of the committee on the Fire Brigades Bill, and thought it could be made into a useful measure. He thought when a body of men came forward, without pay, taking great risks and giving much time, for the benefit of thefr neighbours it showed a spirit that should be encouraged, and (referring to a historic remark of his in the Council) the members of such a body had a good right to have *' mutual admiration " for each other. " The Press "—proposed by Foreman Nokes and responded to by Messrs Bisset and Paul; •« The Catarer " (with thanks for the use of a piano)—by Branchman Coinpton ; and ♦"The Chairman " —by Major Steward, brought a very pleasant gathering to a close Numerous good sons were sung during the evening, and Mr Harry Stephenson received a vote cf thanks for,accompanying them.