ASHBURTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE AND FIRE POLICE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 450, 23 November 1875, Page 4

ASHBURTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE AND FIRE POLICE.

The annual meeting of the Ashbur'on Volunteer Fire Brigade and Fire Police, was held at the Court House, Ashburton, on Saturday last, at 7.H0 p.ra. The attendance was not so large as could have been wished ; on account of the unpropitious state of the weather many were prevented from being present. Previous to the proceedings of the meeting taking place the muster-roll was called, in order to ascertain the members who were absent. Mr J. S. Bruce presided, and read the following report: — Ashburton, 20th November, 1875. “The members of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade and Fire Police. Gentlemen, —You are to be congratulated on the present position of the fire brigade. To-day is its first anniversary. It numbers twenty-six members, and during the past year the following appliances for the prevention of fire have been purchased;—A good fire-bell, three 10ft bidders to connect, two fire hooks, grapple and chain, two dozen galvanized buckets, three American axes, one cross-cut saw, and one hand saw. An order has been sent to London for a lire engine, towards which the Provincial Council voted £260 last session ; and arrangements have been made for a site for the fire brigade station in the centre of the township. The accompanying balance-shee Ishows that the outstanding liabilities only amount to a sum of 10s 4d, There are a few things needed to make the hook and ladder appliances complete, and it is intended to have an entertainment about the commencement of February next to raise sufficient funds to obtain the same. The brigade has laid a good foundation, and it is to be hoped that before another year it will have doubled the present number of members, and will be in the possession of a good fire engine, and if possible during the coming year a water supply will be provided for the township. “ Your obedient servant, “J. Stanley Bruce, Chairman.”

The election for a new committee then took place, which resulted in the following gentlemen being declared members for the next year:—Messrs J. S. Bruce, J. E. Buchanan, H. Friedlander, W; Anderson, J. M. Cambridge, T. Quill, G. Compton, and J. Savage. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminanated the meeting. The committee nut immediately afterwards. Present—Messrs J. S. Bruce, W. Anderson, J. M. Cambridge, T. Quill, and G, Compton. It was moved by Mr G. Compton, seconded by Mr T. Quill, and carried—“ That Mr J, S. Bruce be chairman of the committee.”

A good deal of correspondence relative to the donation given by the Insurance Association, the fire-engine, site for the fire brigade station, and appointment of a fire inspector, was read and discussed. A water supply for the township was also considered. It was agreed that the next meeting should be held on Monday, the 6lh December. The meeting then adjourned.