FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2158, 25 January 1881, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, January 24. The second annual conference of the New Zealand Fire Brigade Association opened today. Twenty-four delegates from other towns were present, and Superintendent Harris presided. Some little discussion took plaoe relative to allowing the Wellington brigade to take part in the conference. Some members were of opinion that they should not be admitted on the ground that they were under municipal by-laws. Ultimately it was resolved that they should be admitted. The seoond annual roport of the association was- read. It contained a number of suggestions to be considered by the conference, and was agreed to without discussion. Superintendent Harris (Christchurch) was re-elected president, and Superintendent Whiteford (Wellington) and Captain Lightfoot (Nelson)' were elected vicepresidents. Mr R. Robertson (Dunedin) was re-elected secretary. A committee was appointed to inquire into the advisability of establishing a sick and accident fund. The case of Robb, the fireman who discovered the Dewars' bodies at Dunedin, and put out the fire, came up for discussion, and it was resolved—" That for valor at fire the association would present a silver Maltese cross, one to be given te Robb if the executive officers found the evidence satisfactory." The balance sheet showed a balance of £lO. It was resolved not to appeal to the publio for contributions until it was seen whether the Fire Brigade Bill passes next session. A number of letters from members of the Legislative Council were received, giving reasons why they threw out the Bill last session; and several letters from insurance companies approving of its principles were read. A great many technical matters, as to members leaving one brigade to join another, and so forth, were discussed, but were of little interest. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Government to-morrow morning to ask them to take up the Bill next session, and to grant free passes on the railways. The conference adjourned until to-morrow afternoon.