VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 74, 26 August 1874, Page 4

VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE.

The first meeting of this corps following the new enrolment of members was held last evening, at the Lichfield street Fire Brigade station. His Worship the Mayor presided.

Mr W. R. Mitchell paid that that was the first meeting held under their new enrolment, for the purpose of passing the rules, and for the election of officers. He had received several apologies from members who were unable to be present that evening, among others one from Mr John Anderson, who was presiding at a lecture next door. Mr Anderson said in his note that if the members desired to again elect him as an officer, he should be happy to act. [Applause.]

Mr Mitchell then read the minutes of the meeting held at Morton's Hotel. Mr Bishop (hon treasurer) stated that the balance the corps had to commence with was £5 14s 7d.

Mr Mitchell read the rules in force during the last year, and, on the motion of Mr Alport, seconded by Mr Beattie, they were unanimously adopted for the present year. After reading the roll, the election of officers took place, when the following gentlemen were re-elected:—Captain—Mr W. R. Mitchell. Officers—Messrs F. A. Bishop, J. ADdersou, H. E. Alport, and S. C. Farr. Captain Mitchell, in returning thanks, sa|d that though their services had not been required during the past year, still the outside public appreciated the object for which the corps had been formed. He might mention that such a thing as fire police was unknown in Victoria; and when he mentioned this force lately to a person in Victoria, that person was surprised that the idea had not been thought of there, and mentioned that when a fire occurred they had to draw off men from the police force to watch property, to the danger of other portions of the city. He again thanked them for their confidence. The other officers elected also returned thanks.

The Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, thanked the members for the services rendered by them during the past year, and was sure that when required the force would be found wanting. [Applause.] Captain Mitchell said that a few remarks before breaking up might not be considered out of place. They had no regular stations to fall into as the Fire Brigade had ; but he considered their first duty was to fall in quickly, and keep a clear space for the arrival of the Brigade. [Hear, hear.] Thefts were never committed at the front of a fire, but at the outskirts, and when people were leaving in the dark. This was evidenced by the fire at Lyttelton. After visiting the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade at a fire if he found that a man was required in a certain position, he placed him in it, and he was glad to know that his orders were always promptly obeyed. [Applause.] The fact that no theft had been committed, and that no case had been brought before the Resident Magistrate showed that the corps had been useful. [Hear, hear.] Mr Alport had suggested that they should meet for drill, but thought brought up in a military school, he really did not know what drill to put them at. He could hardly ask them to "form fours"—[laughter]—and the best drill for them would be to look out sharply and do their duty at the next fire. [Applause.] In reply to a member, Mr Harris, Superin* tendent of the Fire Brigade, said he should be glad to see any members of the fire police present at their library on any or every night.

By desire, Mr Superintendent Harris stated that there were always lines carried on the engines sufficiently long to keep the crowd away from a fire. Mr Alport moved—" That a board, containing the rules and an extract from the Fire Prevention Ordinance be posted at the Fke Brigade Station." Mr Sandstein seconded the motion, which was carried.

Captain Mitchell said that as regarded those members who had not been sworn in up to that evening, he would consider their places vacant and fill them up. On the am ndment of Mr Kiver, it was decided —" That any vacancies occurring during the present year be filled up by the officers."

Captain Mitchell proposed a vote of thanks to his Worship for presiding, who, in reply, said he was always very happy to preside at any meeting which was held with the object of doing service to the citizens generally; (Applause). A distribution of caps and badges to those members who had not already received them coucluded the business of the meeting,