FIRE BRIGADES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16147, 27 February 1918, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADES.

4 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) TAURANGA, February 26. The Conference of tho United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand continued its sittings to-day. Invitations for the next Conference were received from Invercargill. Levin, Hastings, and Lyttelton. In accordance with the rules th© brigades will be naked to vote for tho locality. | A resolution was passed, "That, during tho war and until the executive considers that 'the finances will permit, no invitation be accepted irom any town off the main railways or branches thereof." A motion that a demonstration be hold next year was defeated. The annual report showed a. decreas© during tho year in tho amount paid for accident claims. Sis brigades withdrew from membership. At the close of the year the society comprised 102 brigades, with 2532 members. The contributions amounted to £180 19s lid, and payments for accident claims to £97 15s a decrease of £142 on the amount paid last year. The report and balancesheet were adopted. A motion by tho executive was carried that during tho war, and as long after as the executivo thoug-ht fit, in districts witli a limited supply of doctors medical ficates signed by matrons of hospitals should bo accepted, the brigade concerned to satisfy the executivo that no doctor was available at the time. A motion wna brought forward by the executive that, in view of tho number of accidents sinoa the system of motor reels came into force, and in view of protecting members of tho society from unnecessary risks, tho Government be asked to sot a speed limit of all fire motors, such speed to bo agreed on between tho Government fire inspector and a fepresentative of the society. The motion was rejected. _ i The secretary explained that the object of tho executivo had been achieveu m Tiring ing -under the notice of delegates tho danger men on motor Teels were running. A resolution was passed recommending tho executive to consider tho question of classifying brigades. The following resolution was passed: — "That this Conference respectfully requests tho Government on no account to agreo to any proposal whereby islands in the Pacific shall bo handed back to the Germans, and that tho Government be asked to employ all aliens in New Zealand on useful work." It was resolved that the Government bo asked to print and circulate to bripndce the address delivered- by Inspector Hugo at tho morning session. It wag decided that the executivo purchase forthwith a shield for competition,, to be known as the Gilberd Memorial. The election of officers resulted as follows: I —President, Deputy-Superintendent W. Coupex (Oamaru); vice-preeidents, Superintendent Keith (Hastings), Superintendent Goodwin (Akaroa); treasurer, C. A. Osburne (Onehunga), re-el ect-cd; secretary, Captain Watts (Newmarket), re-elocted; auditor. P. H. Fraeer (Auckland). _ . _ Tho retiring president, Captain Hean, of tho Addington Railway "ITork-bHops, was appointed a life honorary member of the Association. , Tho majority of tho delegates will leavo for their homes on Thursday morning.