N.Z. FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3593, 17 January 1883, Page 2

N.Z. FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE.

The annual conference of the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand was held at the Napier brigade station this morning at 10 o'clock, President foord, Wellington, in the chair.

The following delegates were present:— Foreman Smith, Christchurch; Captain Murphy, Dunedin; Lieutenant Spurdell, Wanganui; Captain Lightfoot (VicePresident of the Association), Nelson; Secretary- Robertson, of Dunedin (proxy), Naseby; Secretary Little, Auckland; Supt. WaterworthandSub.-Supt. Gilberd, Napier ; Captain Mitchell, Port Chalmers; Captain Muir and Lieutenant Keester, Masterton; Supt. Wilkie and Foreman Waddell, Spit; Supt. Whitefoord and Branchman Lawrence, Wellington; Captain Mitchell (proxy), St. lulda; Lieutenant Spurdell (proxy), Marton ; Captain Amos, Timaru.

The meeting having been regularly constituted, the President congratulated the Association on the good attendance of delegates from all parts of the colony. There were certainly many districts unrepresented, but that was only to be expected when the distance in some cases was taken into consideration. He regretted that the Fire Brigades Bill had not passed last session, but he hoped the Government woidd yet devise some means whereby volunteer fire brigades should receive a share of financial support the same as other voimtecr companies. He trusted the present meeting would be productive of much good for fire brigades generally throughout the colony. secretary's and treasurer's report. The following annual report (the fourth) was read by the sccretaiy:—

During the early part of last year the Mornington Fire Brigade disbanded through want of public support. I received no official notice of their disbandment, neither did they pay the annual subscription due. The present strength of the Association is 25—sixteen brigades in the South Island and nine in the North. I regret I have again to inform j-ou that T the Fire Brigades Bill of 1882 shared the same fate as the previous one. There was a certain amount of difficulty at first experienced in procuring a gentleman to take charge of our Bill; at last Mr Levestam, member for Nelson, kindly consented to present it to the House, and I am sure the thanks of the Association will be recorded to that gentleman for the manner in which he introduced the second reading of the Bill, and also his replies to the several objections. The thanks of the Association arc also due to tho member for Dunedin South, Mr Bracken, for his kindness in resenting the disparaging remarks made by certain members of the House upon fire brigades. According to instructions I forwarded copies of the Bill to members of both Houses, Insurance Companies, Municipalities, and Fire Brigades.

It will be necessary for the members assembled here to-day to consider if it will benefit the Association by "introducing another Bill during the next session of Parliament ; and if so, to earnestly consider what form it shall take.

Diving tho past twelve months I have , procured long service medals from England "' for the Wellington, Rangiora, and Ashburton Fire Brigades. I have also received an order from the Dunedin City Council for eight long service medals and bars to be presented to certain members of the Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade, also four extra medals and bars to keep in stock, and this order will arrive shortly. I have also received an order from the Nelson Fire Brigade for medals which will be sent to England by next mail. From a suggestion made by the President I have sent home for twelve extra bars for future requirements.

A form of certificate will be presented to you during the meeting, which I trust will meet with your approval, subject to alterations if found necessary.

I have received from the Ashburton Firo Brigade a small book entitled '' Drill and Instructions for the use of the Ashburton Fire Brigades," by Lieut. Dolman, with a request that same to be placed before the conference for its opinion upon the merits of the work.

I took the opportunity of waiting" upon Mr Tliorne, Superintendent of Government Insurance, while he was in Dmiedin relative to the insurance of firemen. He said that upon his retiu-n to Wellington he woidd think over the matter, and made an appointment to meet the officers of the Association in Wellington while en rotttr for Napier, but, owing to the steamer being a day behind time, and arriving in Wellington on a Sunday, there was no time allowed for such meeting. Upon the return of theSouthemmembers to Dunedin from last conference, accompanied by several from the North Island, the Associations medal for valour was presented by President Whitefoord to Fireman Robb, of the Dunedin Fire Brigade. Fireman Robb sincerely thanks the officers and members of the Association for the honor conferred upon him.

I have received returns of fires from eighteen Fire Brigades, a summary of which I submit for your information.

According to a circular forwarded to each Brigade, dated September 11th, 1882, it will be necessary for this meeting to take into their earnest consideration the future of the Association, and by so doing either to place it on a sure and sound footing, or to break up the Association. lam sure that if the members will give this matter a favorable and earnest consideration they will see their way to cany out the objects of the Association and make it a success.

Correspondence will be read from ExPresident Harris relative to the Association's medal die, shall it be accepted as a present from Mr Harris or not; from Mr Wright, of Grahamstown, relative to long service medals ; from the secretary of the London Fire Brigades Association; from Mr Levcstam, relative to the Fire Brigades Bill; from President Whitefoord, «-Bffland future of Association ; from Hokitika Fire Brigade, re Bill: from Mr P. V. Lightfoot, re Bill and future of Association; from Hawera Fire Brigade, requesting" information as to joining ; from Grahamstown and Ashburton Brigades, relative to the future ; from Ashburton Fire Brigade,-re drill instruction books : and from Government Life Insurance Superintendent. At the last annual meeting of the Association the subject of admitting salvage corps and fire police as members was postponed until after the result of the Fire Brigades Bill was known. It will therefore be necessary to settle this question during" the present meeting. In conclusion I have to thank the officers y for their assistance during" the past year. Robert Robertson, Hon. See. Captain Mitchell, Port Chalmers, moved tho adoption of the report, which was carried,

Consideration of the Treasurer's report was postponed until a later stage of the proceedings. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read: — From the Editor of the Fireman, asking for information respecting New Zealand Fire Brigades, and the amount of support accorded them by local bodies, &c, for journalistic purposes, also asking for a copy of the proposed Fire Brigades Bill.—A letter of thanks was ordered to be sent to the Editor for his kindness in bringing these matters before the public. From the Christchurch Brigade, quoting prices for medals and bars. From Engine Keeper Wright, Grahamstown Brigade, enquiring if he was entitled to a long service medal. He had been altogether eight years and two months in the service, but had resigned in May 1878, andrcjoined in December, 1879.—The secretary said he had replied stating that the applicant was not entitled to a long service medal under the circumstances.

From the Gramstown Brigade, expressing its opinion that some further action should be taken re the matter of a Fire Brigades Bill in Parliament, and suggesting that, as some inconvenience and expense was experienced in attending a yearly conference, it might be better to have triennial conferences, the officers to be empowered to carry out any important business that might arise during the interim between meetings. In the event of matters transpiring that might affect the welfare of the whole district ameeting coidd be convened in some central place. From Mr Harris, late President of the Association, offering" to present the Association with a dye for long service medals on the stipulation that it should remain in the hands of the makers.—Several of the delegates were in favor of receiving the dye unconditionally only. — Sub-Superintendent Gilberd moved, and Superintendent AVilkic seconded that the medal dye be accepted with the thanks of the Association.—Carried. THE FIRE BRIGADES BILL. An unairimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr Levestam for the kind manner in which he took charge of the Bill, and endeavored to pass it through the House. A similar compliment was accorded to Mr Bracken, M.H.R., for the interest he had shown in the welfare of the Bill, and for having in the House defended the Fire Brigades against attacks made upon them by certain members.

[Left Sitting.]