N.Z. FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3594, 18 January 1883, Page 2

N.Z. FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE

Wednesday, Jaxuaby 17. We coutiinic our report of the proceedings commenced in last issue: — ASSOCIATION KULES. The proposed rules of tlic Association passed at the last annual meeting came up for confirmation, and were read by the secretary. The preamble to the rules set forth that "the object of the Association is to organise tlic Fire Brigades in Xew Zealand under one recognised Council, to encourage the formation of Fire Brigades and auxiliaries, to increase the efficiency of firemen and the means of communication, to consider all questions affecting the interests of.firemen generally, to reward by gifts, testimonials, and medals, acts of valor or important services on the occasion of fires and for long servitude in the several brigades, to diffuse information and instruction to established brigades, to encourage inventions and appliances for the more successful subjection of fires, and circulation of directions to be observed by persons in saving themselves and their property from fire, and also how to treat temporarily injuries received from fire." Considerable discussion took place resjjecting the voting power to be allowed to delegates, some of the members holding that a delegate should only be entitled to one vote, whilst others thought that if a brigade entitled to two or three representatives sent only one, that one should be entitled to exercise the votes of two or three. Another delegate expressed himself to the effect that proxy voting was a mistake. Ultimately it was agreed, on the motion of Captain Amos, that there be added to the rule respecting voting a proviso that a delegate should only have one proxy vote. FIUK HIIGADKS BILL. The question was raised whether the Association should present another Fire Brigades Hill to Parliament, and, if so, what form it should take. Some fow of the delegates were in favor cf eyitfi being done, whilst others expressed

the opinion that the action would, as on former occasions, end in nothing , . It was finally resolved—(l) That no further steps be taken with regard to the Tire Brigades Bill; (2) that Parliament be petitioned to place on the estimates a sufficient sum to defray the expenses of the annual meeting; (3) that the President, Vice-President, and Secretary be appointed a committee to draft the petition, and to forward copies to the various brigades for signature. FIRE DKILL INSTRUCTION BOOK. A letter was read from Ashburton commending to the notice of the meeting a drill instruction pamphlet lately issued by Lieut. Dolman, one of the members of the brigade. A number of copies accompanied the letter, and were laid on the table. It was resolved, " That the thanks of the meeting be accorded to Lieut. Dolman for his pamphlet, and that it stand over till next annual meeting for consideration." LIFE INSURANCE. A telegram was read from the Govern - mont Life Insurance Department, bringing it under the notice of members, and informing them that no extra risk was charged in premiums in the case of firemen. A conversational discussion followed on the respective merits of Government life insurance, accident insurance, and the system in vogue in most places of a brigade fund for relief in case of accidents. It was resolved that the matter be left to the consideration of the local brigades. MISCELLANEOUS. The question of ways and means being discussed, it was decided that honorary members should be admitted to the association on payment of a fee of not less than £1 Is; also patrons. It was also resolved that (if possible) a competition be held in connection with the next annual meeting of delegates. The annual financial statement, .showing a small balance to credit of the Association, was read and adopted. The secretary was instructed to write to the late Superintendent of the Christ church Fire Brigade for designs and prices ef certificates. The Secretary stated that a ten guinea prize, consisting of helmet, belt, and axe, had been received from Messrs Shand and Mason for competition. Secretary Little, of Auckland, exhibited the compined controlling nozzle and branch made by Branson and Foster of Auckland, and in use by the Auckland Brigade. Captain Mitchell exhibited the fire escape and combined set of roof ladders which took the first prize in Dunedin after the last great fire. The secretary exhibited photographs of the fire alarm signals now in use in Dunedin ; also, samples of cloth which were much approved by the delegates. The usual honorarium of £20 was voted to the secretary. In the election of officers Captain Lightfoot was unanimously elected President, Captain Murphy and Superintendent Whitefoord Vice-Presidents, and Mr Robertson was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer. The meeting then adjourned. THIS DAY. The conference was resumed at 10 o'clock, all the delegates being present with the exception of Superintendent AVilkie, Spit. After the rough minutes had been read the newly elected President, Captain Lightfoot, was inducted into his seat, and exPresident Whitefoord took the vice-chair. PLACE 01" NEXT MEETING. It was proposed by Secretary Little that the next annual conference be held at Auckland. Foreman Smith proposed as an amendment that it be held at Christchureh. The President moved as a further amendment that it held at Nelson. On a vote being taken only two delegates were in favor of Auckland, one in favor of Christchurch, while all the rest (nine votes) were in favor of Nelson. MISCELLANEOUS. Superintendent "VVatcrworth intimated that Mr H. S. Tiffen had kin dly Invited the delegates to visit his grounds at the close of the meeting, also to inspect a fire escape that Mr Tift'eii had brought with him from America and which was to be presented to the Napier brigade.—The meeting accepted the invitation with thanks. The Secretary said he had found amongst his papers a telegram which had hitherto escaped his notice. It conveyed the ;ippointment of Captain Amos as proxy for the Greymouth brigade. He regretted that it had been overlooked before. The Chairman called attention to the fire escape shown at the brigade station last night, the invention of Captain Mitchell, of Port Chalmers. The several delegates, and, he believed, the public as well, had expressed great satisfaction with it.—Captain Murphy added his testimony as to the usefulness of fire escapes. It had been in use in Dunedin for some time past, and had been found to imswor its purpose well, having several special advantages over the ordinary escape. Every brigade in the colony should have one of them. — The President proposed that tliis conference highly approves of the life saving apparatus invented by Captain Mitchell. Captain Murphy seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.— Captain Mitchell returned thanks ; inventions of this kind were, he explained, a hobby of his. Ho was not the originator of the ladders, but had improved upon them. By next year he would probably have something better to bring before them. Votes of thanks were then passed to the retiring executive officers, to the Spit and Napier Brigades for their kindness and attention to the respective delegates, to Mr Macara coach proprietor for the liberal concessions allowed by him, and to the Press for their reports of the proceedings. The meeting was then closed.