FIRE POLICE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1438, 25 September 1878, Page 2

FIRE POLICE.

The ann ua'l general meeting of the members of the Volunteer Fire Police was held yesterday at the Fire Brigade Hall, Lichfield street. Captain W. R. Mitchell occupied the chair, and officers Bishop and Alport, with Superintendent Harris, of the Fire Brigade, were also present. The minutes of the last annual general meeting were read and confirmed. Captain Mitchell then read the following report: — Since the last annual meeting, held on September 18th, 1877, there has been thirteen alarms of fire, at which the roll has been called. The following table gives the attendance Captain, W. R. Mitchell, 13; officers, H. E. Alport, 12 ; R. C. Bishop, 12 ; W. J. Fisher, 6; Geo. Beattie, 6; members, Ayers, A., 1; Banks, E. H., 11; Bashford, J. E., 7; Baylee, J., 6; Bray, E. S., 4 ; Brice, W., 6; Clare, P., 0 ; Collins, W., 2 ; Cooper, J. P,, 6; Davis, H., 4; Duuford, W., 7 ; Fountains, T. J., 4 ; Gee, A., 3; Guiuess, B, 3; Gunderson, A., 5; Hall, J. H., 9 ; Hart, John, 3; flulbert, C. P,4; King, W. T., 4; Lezard, C., (5; Manning. S., 3 ; Matthews, Jas., 0 ; McGuinncss, D., 7 ; Moiling, J., 0 ; Phillips, W. H., s;Tiercy, Geo., 0! Piper, J., 5; Pyett, Thos., 0; Radcliffe, Wm., 2; Restell, J. G., 1; Sandstein, M.,|B ; Selig, A. A., 7 ; Sherlock, J.,9; Simpson, S., 5; Smith, F. J., 6; Smith, Richard, 1; Struthers, R., [5; Sutherland, R., 5; Tombs, Geo., 5 ; Wacksmann, J. F., 3 ; Wolfe, N., 1; Wood, R. H., 1. The officers have to regret the few attendances during the past year of several of the old members, and would advise that where this has been occasioned by change of residence from town to the suburbs and an inability to hear the fire alarms, that the uniform cap and .badge be returned, and the vacancies filled by other members. The officers upon examination of the roll will also deem it advisable to strike out the names of several members therefrom, in accordance with rule 5 ; and it will be necessary, in order to maintain the efficiency of the force, to invite the services of a number of new members in order to bring up the required number. The officers have cheerfully to record the good order maintained by the public at times of fires during the past year, and desire to thank the officers and constables of the regular police for theirwiliing co-operation upon all occasions with the fire police in the various duties devolving upon them. The officers have also to express with pleasure the very friendly feeling cxistingbetween the brigade and Fire Police,andin conclusion, to thank Superintendent Harris and his firemen for the very courteous manner the members have been treated -whilst on duty, and which has served to make the services of the Fire Police of much value to the inhabitants of Christchurch, and to fulfil the purpose*, for which the Fire Police was organised.

W. E. Mitchell, Captain. Mr Sandstein moved—" That the report us read bo received and adopted.” Mr Lezard seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Sandstein thought that it should bo left to the officers to strike out the names of the absentees from the list on account of nonattendance at fires.

Several gentlemen present called attention to the fact that as the north-east winds were the prevailing winds here, the majority of the members living on the East Belt did not hear the bell. It was suggested that a bell should be placed in the eastern part of the city, and Captain Mitchell promised to confer with Superintendent Harris on the matter, so as to obviate the diflleulty now felt. Mr It. 0. Bishop, the treasurer, made his statement, from which it appeared that the balance at the commencement of the year was £B. To this had been added the donation of the insurance companies—£lo 10s. The City Council annual donation had not yet been received, but he had been promised it next week. The expenditure during the year had been £5 Is 7d, and the balance in hand £l3 9s sd. Captain Mitchell then said that the next business was the election of officers for the ensuing year. Before doing so, however, he had to propose a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing officers, who had been of the Utmost assistance to him in carrying out the duty of the force. Ho begged therefore to propose a hearly vote of thanks to the outgoing officers. Mr W. S. King seconded the motion, which was carried.

The nominations for officers w r ere then taken, and Messrs Bishop, Banks, King, Hulbert, Dunford, Alport, and R. C. Bishop, were proposed. On a ballot the following four were ejected; Messrs Bishop, Hulbert, Alport, and King. Mr Bishop 1 was re-elected as treasurer. The meeting closed with a vote of thanko to tho chair,