FIRE POLICE

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1578, 23 October 1912, Page 3

FIRE POLICE

THE ANNUAL MEETING,

The Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laren) presided at the thirteenth annual meeting of the Wellington J'ire Police last evening. The annual report, which was adopted, stilled that for the information ot ill.public attention must be drawn to the fact ' that tho corps is practically selfsupporting, . officers and nicmlH'i's. giving tlieir services to tho city entirely voluntarily, and in many ways assisting llio Municipal Brigade in their arduous work. In former years the Underwriters' Association donated an annual grant to the corps, but recently it had been discontinued. The City Council had come forward with an annual grant of £20, which lately had been increased to JJ3O. In respect to salvage, the corps, if more officially recognised, could l.v the means of greatly assisting the insurance companies and the general public, but i olwithstanding all difficulties, it pledges itself to do its utmost to perform tho duties entailed upon it. The citv members had received direct from the Central Station and by Exchange telephone 76 calls, which were responded to by a very fair average attendance of members. The suburban members responded to calls through their districts with eo,ual promptitude, and in several instances have been tho means of checking the progress of a lire until (he arrival of the brigade. The duties upon tho occasion of a tire of oftcers ai!d members, especially should anv be present before tho arrival of the brigade, is to ascertain if anv lives are in danger; secondly, the position of the nearest nre plug, !m d have it clear on the arrival of tho brigade; and thirdly to keep the public clear so the brigade are not hampered in any way, and to receive, instructions from the superintendent or the brigade as he may deem necessary during the progress of n fire. As great forbearance in dealing with the public at « 2 , I s ., l J ecessa, '.v, it is pleasing to note that little or no friction has occurred, and another pleasing fact is the absence of reports of pillaging of a serious nature. Jhe annual balance-sheet showed the receipts for the year to be jE-12 9s. Id., against last year's total of .£39 4s. 2d. The expenditure for this vear was .£'sl IGs. 3d., as against ,£1!) 18s. 3d. last year, which leaves n balance of ,£2B 7s. 3d.', as against last year's balance of .£37 Its. 3d. The expenditure this year was higher than last, the reason., being that officer's and members were supplied with a new set of caps ami uniform coats. Mention must be made of the courtesy at all times displayed to members of {he Fire Police by the superintendent of the brigade, hi's officers and men, and also members of the local police force, who, upon all occasions, have done' their utmost to assist the fire police in ; tho execution of their duty. •''

The election of.'officers resulted as follows:—Captain, MV. J.' Wright; hon. secretary, Mr. E. von Bernewitz; lion, treasurer, Mr. JVCoh'bn; lieutenants Messrs. T. Ballinger, A. Usher, J. C. Cusack, ,T. 'A. Short; auditors, Messrs. C. Baker, H. T. Ballinger. ;: During tho evening the chairman presented Lieutenant!', J. C. Cusack With a seven years' service medal.

Several members spoke of the want of knowledge on the part of the public as to the good and useful work, done by the fire police. It was held that the corns should have more support than is the case at present.

Captain Wright stated that, the corns was well advanced in ambulance work. He also mentioned that the corps should be provided with waterproof sheets, and instanced 'several cases where property could have been saved had they been in possession of such articles. The speaker, held the opinion that the underwriters "should supply the corps with such sheets.