EIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2005, 12 March 1914, Page 7

EIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

REMARKS BY HON. 11. D. BELL. (By Telesraph.—Pre;3 Association.) Akaroa, March 11. ' The Fire Brigade Conference concluded to-day. The following officers were elected:-- President, Deputy-Superin-tendent J. J. Salmon (Dunedin); vicepresidents, Captain I\ Campbell (Tininru) and E. 0. Seaiitlobury (Keefton); treasurer, C. A. Osborne (Onehunga); secretary, Captain T.. J. Watt (Newmarkot), re-elected for three years; auditor, P. R. Eraser (Auckland). This afternoon the Hon. H. D. Bell and the Hon. R. 11. Rhodes addressed the conference. Replying to representations made Mr. Bell said that he would have to submit to Cabinet tho proposal to make Territorial drill count for fire brigade parades, when the two duties clashed: The matter had already been settled by a former Cabinet, and could only be reopened/by Cabinet. Ho intended next session to introduce an .amendment allowing contiguous local bodicsjto form themselves into a combined fire area. Legislation would also be introduced exempting from liability acts done by Fire Boards and brigades in thoprotection of property or to check iiro spreading. As to the matter of im posing an annual charge for tho annua! inspection of electrical installations it would not be fair to make such a chareo ..where tho installation was perfect. 'It was proposed to givo Firo Boards an official status- at fire , inquests. The .Minister congratulated the conference on tho advanced methods of their competitions. "We put New Zealand Brigades on a' level with those of other countries," he concluded.

The Hon. 11. H. Rhodes, in the course of a short speech, said that tho interests of (ire brigades were thoroughly safe in Mr. Bell's hands. .A hearty voto of thanks was accorded both Ministers. The following members who had completed 25 years'. service wero presented with gold stars:—Lieutenant F. Fisher (Grcytowh); Fireman J. J. Braggins (Groytown); Secretary J. fj. Walton (Grcymouth); Fireman L. Labroom (Spit);-Captain T. Barber (Ashburton): Foreman A. Thomson (Gisborne); man W. J. Ford (Rangiora); Secretary G, Hilton (Timani); and Captain W. H. Butler" (Eden Terrace).