DOMINION FIRE BRIGUDES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1920, Page 3

DOMINION FIRE BRIG UDES

ADDRESS BY CAPTAIN T. J WATTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 13.

Captain T. J. Wattes, who was recently appointed traveling advisory superintendent to New Zealand volunteer fire brigades by the executive of the United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand, the Government, and the insurance companies, arrived in Christchurch on Saturday, and addressed a meeting of local firemen in the Central Fire Station on Saturday evening. Captain Watts, who is secretary to tlie association, and also captain of tlie Newmarket Fire Brigade, Auckland, is a very fluent speaker, and his remarks were listened to with attention 'throughout. Captain Watts explained at length the conditions of .the agreement arrived at between tlie association, the Government and tlie insurance companies concerning the control of brigades and the appointment of the advisory superintendent. A conference of the association’s executive was held in Christoliurch at the end of October to discuss tlie conditions of the new appointment, and it was unanimously agreed that the position of .secretary to the association rfnd that of travelling superintendent should be combined. The speaker was appointed temporarily, and this would have to be ratified at tlie conference at Napier in February. He explained to tlie meeting that one of the conditions agreed upon at the conference held in Wellington was that the association should establish a central depot for the supply of ’all material and appliances used for fire fighting. The object of the depot would he to supply all standardised material to local bodies and brigades at the minimum cost. • It was intended, where practicable, to give preference to goods manufactured in the Dominion. The delegates present recognised that the proposed depot would be a step in the right direction. In recognition of the assistance granted the association by the Government and the insurance companies, they would he entitled to lie represented at the annual conferences, and have a voice in the business transacted. - The chairman pointed out that the appointment of an advisory superintendent luul been advocated by the United Fire Brigades’ Association for many years in the interests of the volunteer brigades, and had now been made possible by the increased subsidy from the Government and financial recognition by the insurance companies of the Dominion. The main object of the appointment was to foster efficiency amongst the members of those brigades. He promised to render all the assistance in his power. •

Captain R. S. Hean said the association was to be congratulated on the successful issue of the agreement as outlined by Captain Watts, and the executive of the association were also to he congratulated on their choice to fill tlie new position. He moved: “That this meeting of Christchurch city and surrounding districts congratulate the executive of U.F.B.A on their work in tile past year, and endorse the action of the .executive in framing the agreement in company with the Government and insurance companies, and pledge ourselves to support them in their work. We also approve the action of the executive in appointing Captain T. J. Watts as acting advisory superintendent, and support his election to the permanent position when it comes before conference” The motion was seconded by Captain A. Bnmberv and carried unanimously.