CITY FIRE POLICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2905, 18 October 1916, Page 6

CITY FIRE POLICE

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tho Welling-

ton City Fire Police was held last night. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided.

The Mayor, in the course of a few introductory remarks, congratulated tho police on a good year of work, making mention also oi the members of the

force who had gone to tho front. He spoke of the projected now fire station at the top of Constable Street rise, saying that ho considered tho decision of the council on this point was a wibo one.

Tho annual report showed that the corps,-which is now entering upon its seventeenth year of life, has a strength of 23—a captain, 4 lieutenants, a secre-

tary, a treasurer, and 16 other members. Owing to the small number of fires during the past year, the call on tho members had not been groat. "It had been decided to keep a sick and accident fund in : a separate account, and the amount' of £78 had been trans-

ferred to that account. Of this £40 had been invested in war loan certificates, and £38 had been placed in tho" Post Office Savings Bank. Th© members of the corps wished to placo on record .the; great' courtesy at all times displayed to members of the Firo Police by the Superintendent of the Brigade, his officers and men, and also members of the local Police Force, who upon all occasions had done their utmost to assist the Firo Police in the execution of their duty. \Tho receipts for the year had been £37 55., as against last year s total of £37 lis. The m hand to working account was £19 13s.

The report was adopted. In tho course of remarks ou the work of the Fire Police, Councillor Barber, chairman of the Fire Brigades Committee, acknowledged the valuable work dono for tho city by tho corps. The election of officers was confirmed as follows:—Captain, Mr. J. Wrightlieutenants, Messrs. T. Ballinger, J. C.' Cusack, A. A. Ashor, and J. A. Short; secretary, Lieut. Cusack; treasurer, Mr! H. T. Ballinger; auditors, Messrs. J Ballinger and W. Lange. Mr. H. Woolcott was olected first Hfo member of the corps.

Superintendent Tait expressed his thanks for tho valuable aid rendered to the brigade by the Fire Police. The brigado had been sadly depleted bv tire war. Altogether 32 members hail enlisted. Of these five had lost their lives, and sevoraj others had been wounded! In these circumstances, with the firefighting force depleted of vory valuable men, it was a great source of satisfaction to him to know that ho had always a good backing from tho Firo Police'. It was fortunate that during tho year there had been very few fires. He was glad to be able to say that there was evidence that people were taking more care of their property, and wero keeping their places in better order. Refuse fires were not now nearly so common. Referring to the new station at Constable Street, ho said that he was glad that moro quarters were to be provided for married men. The brigade did not wish to take on married' men, but it could not keep single men unless provision were made for their accommodation in the event of their wishing to get married. More equipment was necessary, but this was now unprocurable. There would bo a fairsized bill to pay after the war for improved appliances. Tho Mayor, on behalf of the corps, made a presentation to tho retiring secretary, Mr. 11. D. Baker, as a token of esteem and an acknowledgment of his valuable services. ■

The thanks of the briga'de was conveycd to Lieut. Cus.ick for Sis work in organising and carrying through card tournaments at the several stations— functions which worn much appreciated by the mombors of the brigade. The business over, members wcro entertained by the Mayor. Light refreshments were provided, and a few toasts wore honoured.