FIREMEN IN COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 451, 9 March 1909, Page 4

FIREMEN IN COUNCIL.

THIRTIETH ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE WELCOME AT AUCKLAND. Cdi TEiEoK»rn—runes association.) Auckland, March 8. Tho thirtieth annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association of IN'ew Zealand was opened to-day, one hundred delegates representing as many brigades from all parts of tho Dominion being present. This number, hovevor, only represents ono-fifth of tho fireman visting Auckland, each delegate having a team of four non-dolegatej with him. Tho. president (Mr. Wildish), in opening tho conference, said that ho desired to extend a hoartj welcome to the deli-gates prosent. They wero assembled there with one object, to make tho association useful, and advance the itterests of the firo brigades. Ho regretted thav so fow of tho brigades had taken advantjgo of tho Acts of 1906 and 1907, for tho constitution of fire boards. Tho latest Bill had provided that a board might bo constituted wmrover tho population was 2000 or over. This took iii quite, 80 por cent, of tho firo brigades of the Dominion. Soino of their members, notably Superintendent Woolley, had gone to a groat tloal of trouble to get this legislation, and it seemed te him that it was chiefly because brigades did not fully understand what tho: legislation provided that so little advantage bad been taken of it. They had often complained that tho insuranco companies didnot contribute to tho expenses of firo brigades. Well, hero they had a system whereby tho companies were compelled to contribute. Ho trusted that the delegates would go back to : their respective brigades chargoc with information which would enable then to act. Councillor Eutr.can, in the unavoidable absence of tho Major, extended te the delegates a hearty we'eomo to Auckland. Mr. F. E. Bauue, K.C., M.P., said that ho, as one of tho city members, also desired to welcome tho firsmon to Auckland. There was not a person in the Dominion who did not appreciate the excellent work dono by firemen. It was vork that called for so much attention to detail, and work requiring intelligence, combined- with bravery, to carry it out properly. It afforded him great pleasure to seo amongst the delegates, not only men who had grown ;roy in the service, but also young men, coming forward to uphold tho traditions founded by tho older generations. He was glad to notico the enthusiasm pervading their work, is revealed in tho interest with which they attended to tho dry. details of routine, without which efficiency was not possible. He looked forward to tho time whon tho bulk of men in tho brigades would bo native-born New Zealanders. At tho samo time, they could r.ovor rogard with other than admiration tho nourago of those who, in years gone by, had ventured out here, and woro tho fathers of the men present on that occasion. . As members of Parliament, ho and his colleagues would always bo found doing that which was calculated to promote tho interest* of those who wero firemen. (Applause.) Messrs. C. H. Poolo and A. E. Glover, M.P.'s, also spoke briefly welcoming the dole.gates. The thirtieth annual report of tho executivo was read by tho secretary, and was adopted. Tho annual balance-sheet showed receipts £1078 15s. Bd., and exp&ndituro £497 os. od., leaving a credit balance of £581 14s. lid. Tho statement of liabilities and assets showed an excess l of assets over liabilities of £483 os. 7d. In moving tho adoption of tho balancesheet, Captain Bellrmgor> (Now' Plymouth) congratulated tho association upon its excellent financial position. >Ho hoped, howevor, that the fact that they had a largo balance in hand would not lead ,them into incurring unnecessary expenditure. Ho thought that the time had arrived when the association should earmark a sum:ofi money!annually to bo placed in a contingent fundi which should be available in an emergency.-./,Ho thought that the expenditure ouvessays.had been ; a very wise expenditure, which had dono a, great deal of good, and he hoped that tho association would vote moro money for tho samo purpose. (Applause.)' l ■: -■ Superintendent Smith .(itanfjiora) seconded the motion, \vhich was earned unanimously.