FIREMEN & THE WAR POLICE PROMOTIONS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2704, 25 February 1916, Page 7

FIREMEN & THE WAR

POLICE PROMOTIONS

The following promotions and transfers in the higher grades of the police force were announced yesterday: — Senior-Sergt. Mullaney. Lambton Qinvy Station, Wellington, has. been promoted to sub-inspector as .from March 3, and is transferred to Christelm veil. . Sub-Inspector Hcslic, now stationed at Christclmrch, is transferred to Timaru to lill a ■vacanor there. Sergeant Clias. "Tiowden, New Plymonth, is promoted to the rank of senior-sergeant as from March 1, and will remain at New Plymouth. Senior-Sergeant A. T. Kmcrson. of jWlihui-toii, is transferred to Lambton Quay Station, vice Sub-Inspector Mullancy. Soninr-Sorrreant P. Ilyan, of hytfolton. is transferred lo Ashbiirton to replace Scnior-Scrg 1 . Kmcr.'-'on.

SHOULD BRIGADESMEN BE EXEMPTED? \ 1 Superintendent Tait, of the Municipal l''ire Brigade, is finding it difficult to get the right class of men for firo brigade work. He lias reported 'to the City Council as follows: — "Circumstanccs compel mo to place before you for your consideration the serious eit'ect recruiting is having upon the efficiency of your brigade. Up to tho present twenty men have gone to the front, four are in camp, and two nro going, a total of 26 from the permanent' sialic of 38. Although advertisements have appeared and every effort made, all these vacancies have not been filled; moreover, the class of men available, with few exceptions, are by no means up to the standard required for this work; several weeks' training is necessary to lit men for their duties, and when completed they still lack the practical knowledge of fire-fighting. In. the event of your brigade being called upon, to cope with a large fire, a severe handicap is placed on the staff to successfully deal with it. From a cutting attached it will be seen that tho AVar Council of Great Britain are no longer calling up men perluanently employed at firo' work, without the written consent of the chief officer concerned. Our own military authorities arc not prepared to exempt certain industries, and I would respectfully suggest that this lino of business, in tho cities at least, could well be included in the exemption, and I would further suggest that tho Minister or Recruiting Board, be comnVunicat-ed with, placing this matter before him or them for favourable .consideration." 'It was explained by Councillor Hutcheson that fater men had been laboriously trained in brigade work there was nothing to prevent them from en-, listing voluntarily, which was what' Superintendent Tait, in- the interests _of tho city, wished to prevent, by placing firo brigadesmen on the exempted list. He moved that' the Minister be approached to so exempt these mon. . Councillor G. Frost .thought it was o- matter that should he further cons'dered, and moved as an amendment that tile matter be referred back to the committee; . t Councillor Yeitch seconded the amendment, as he did not see how thoy could prevent a man leaving -his employment in the brigade and enlisting. 'Councillor Hutclieson said that tho fact of such men being exempted would remove those pricks of/conscience ina man that he was not doing ,his bit. He would rest assured that he was doing his duty to the State in another sphere. - Councillor Hildreth said it was a matter of urgency j so much so that if It were not done the-city might be placed in jeopardy.. On a voto being taken, the amendment to refer the matter back was car- | tied by 7 votes to 6.