HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1920, Page 4

HOKITIKA FIRE BOARD

MONDAY, JUNE 14th ' !■ ■ v :H

The annual mooting of the Board was held at 3 p.m. Prosent.—Hon H. L. Michel, iVfessrs J. F. Grierson, IT. P. Hopkins, J. ,T. Breeze, and J. H. Wilson.

t ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr Breeze nominated Hon. H. L. Michol as Chairman for the ensuing year. Seconded by Mr Hopkins, supported by members and agreed to.

Mr Michei then took the chair and thanked members' for their expression of confidence in liis past actions, and promised his continued best efforts in tho interests of the Board. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE

From J. Millner; nightwatchman, asking for an increase in salary.—Received. Mr Breeze moved that an increase of £l2 per annum be grante’ef. Seconded by Mr Hopkins and carried.

Mr Grierson moved that £5 5s bonus be voted to the secretary. Seconded by Mr Hopkins and carried. From Hokitika Fire Brigade recommending reappointment of Messrs W. C. Braddon and G. Davidson as Superin tcudent and Deputy Superintendent.--Received and approved. From some applying for usual yearly service records!—Received; request granted. From Internal Affairs Department, Wellington, asking for Brigade to arrange for special precautions against fire during the Prince’s visit.—Received attention given.

From Inspector Hugo, Wellington, reporting that in view of the excellent system of outstations for hose reels, and efficiency of the Brigade, ho did not deem it advisable to instal a chemical motor engine in Hokitika.— Received. Snpt.Braddon said be endorsed the attitude taken by Inspector Hugo. It was resolved to send a copy of the letter to the Brigade and take no further action.

The Treasurer reported receipts £96 16s Bd, payments £74 Is Id; credit balance £BS 9s 6d.—Received

The Secretary reported that the telltale clock showed no discrepancies for the period.—Received. Members com. plimented the night-watchman, Mr Milner, on his splendid record. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. I have the honour to report that during the year now ended your Brigade, received a'nd responded to eight fife calls, but not one of these was of a serious nature, three being chimneys on fire, one a railway bridge, and four in build, ings that were in a ruinous condition, and of very small value. The attendance of members at all fire calls and musters, has been very good indeed, and it is pleasing to see the great interest taken in our work by tho members qf. your Brigade, and also tho efficient manner in which the work is carried out.

During the visit of the Prince of Wales, the Minister of Internal Affairs wrote asking provision, of a fire patrol at Keller’s Hotel during the Prince’s visit, such patrol to consist of our oldest and most experienced members. The call met a ready response and the patrol was duly provided, a patrol of five members of your Brigade were on duty at the same time, in the Town Hall and Drill Hall, to guard against mishaps while the functions being held there were in progress.

Re your enquiries at your last annual meeting, about iengtji-- of service of members, I have pleasure in attaching a list hereto showing same. All gear is in good working order, hut I regret having to present you with another list of requirements to deal with at this meeting.

Tlie members of No 5 Hose Company in Sale Street have at most calis a long distance to travel, but they are severely handicapped by having to haul an old and obsolete reel, which is a very laborious and disheartening operation, and I would advise obtaining an up to date reel for this Company. We require also three hundred feet of new hose, also four’ sets of ferrule couplings. Inspector Hugo on his last visit here, advised the procuring of two gas masks from the Defence Department who have them for sale; also he pointed out the advisa. bility of obtaining a hose repair outfit to repair leaks in hose. The doors of NO I Station require repairing and the front of the building needs painting, the fronts of No 3 and No 4 Stations also need painting. I have inspected all buildings used as places of public amusement and found the means of escape therefrom are in a satisfactory condition, with the exception of the escape door on the northern side of St Andrew’s Hall, the holt of which is unworkable. The hell-tower in Park Street lias been erected, and the bell hung, and as soon as the clapper has been repaired the Structure will be in working order. Tn conclusion on behalf of the Bri-

gade I tender you their best wishes for another ‘ successful year.’ —Received. Congratulations were passed on the satisfactory results of the past year.

It wits resolved to invite tenders for a now hose roc) 'and to obtain the requisites asked for.

MEMBERS OF H.V.F.R

YEAR ENDING JUNE 30th. 1019

Supt. Braddon, 1880, 30 years, gold star;' Deputy G. Davidson, 1891. 28 years, gold star ; Foreman Ross 1883-96 34 years, gold star; Foreman J. Wallace, ’1874, 45 years gold star; Foreman F, McGregor 1894-1914, 32 years, gold star ;' Fireman F .Eggling, 1881-1900, 33 years, gold star; Fireman H. Shultz, 1889, 30 years, gold star; Fireman H. Thompson, 1893, 26 years, gold star; Fireman D. Davidson, 1893, 26 years; Fireman J. Wilson, 1899, 21 years; Engineer, J. Mclntosh, 1902, 17 years; Fireman H. ' Sweney, 1903, 16 years ; Fireman F. Groufsky, 1900-13, 18 years; Fireman. G. Lukin, 1885-1909, 13 years; Fireman Ci B. Ross, 1907, 12 years; Foreman J. Williams, 1908, 11 years; Fireman K. Wallace, 1909, 10 years; Fireman C. Gibbons, 1909, 10 years, Fireman J .Chtbush, 1909-11, 10 years; Engineer J. Findlay, 1908-13, 9 years; Fireman J. Stickles, 1914, 5 years; Fireman J. Ross, 1915, 4 years ; Fireman W. Jones, 1916, 3 yeairs; Fireman R. Fane senr., 1916, 3 years ; Fireman L. Dwnn. 1917, 2 years; Fireman L. Ross, 1918, 1 year; Fireman R. Fane, junr. 1919, 5 months; Fireman

'Thompson, 1919, 1 month; Fireman W. A. Wilson, 1919, 1- month; Fireman T. Lynch, 1919, 1 month; Messenger McIntosh, 1914, 6, years. Tn addition the following ex-membors have gained tho Gold Star:—Ex-Capt. H. L. Michol, ex-Fimnnn G. Heinz, ox-Supt. F. Thompson. Received; members expressed their surprise at the lengthy service of members which comprised a record of long and faithful service that would he hard to beat. The estimates for the year totalling £550 wore approved. Accounts amounting to £123 wore passed for payment. Tho TBoa-rd tlien rose.