TE KUITI FIRE BRIGADE

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 143, 29 March 1909, Page 2

TE KUITI FIRE BRIGADE

♦ A public meeting was held in Mr F. | Hattaways' Sample Room Te Kuiti, on ! Friday evening for the purpose of discussing the matter of forming a Fire Brigade in the tov.'n. There was a good attendance and Mr J. Bottle was voted to the chair. Mr Bcddio in referring to the object of the meeting. -said that until recently an ovmmak of fire in the town would have resulted in comparatively slight losses. The position at present, however, was different, and the time had undoubtedly come ' when decisive action should be taken. ; A fire would practically sweep the j town and the resultant losses, and up- i settingof business, to say nothing of the danger to life, would be of incalculable injury. There were certain drawbacks but nothingpwhich could not be overcome. Te Kuiti was in a good position as far as water supply was concerned, as the stream running through the town could be utilised. There were several gentlemen in the town who had been intimately connected with Brigades, and their assistance would be ! invaluable in organising'a brigade. The speaker also referred to the heroic deeds accomplished by firemen, and hoped to see a body of men got together at Te Kuiti, under capable officers possessed of that spirit of enthusiasm which made for good work. Mr Sims said the Railway Department had an engine at work pumping water from the river for their tanks, and suggested that some arrangement might be made with the Department to utilise the power. Mr Franklin enquired as to the cost of a mannual engine and appliances. Mr Boddie said that Mr Waters, who was an old fireman, had written to the Fire Brigades' Association, making enquiries but had not yet received a reply. From his own knowledge he was aware of a mannual that had been offered for £4O. In any case he considered it advisable to form the Brigade and details could be arranged later. The movement would develop and they could progress as fast as their means would allow. At present there was no local body to take control, but at no distant date there was every likelihood of a Town Board being set up. In the meantime the property owners and townspeopla would have to get together and render what assistance they could. Public assistance was generally heartily given. Mr Phillips considered a Fire Brigade was of little use until a water supply was an accomplished fact. It was pointed out that many towns had to be content with a tank or well supply and had fire brigades. Mr Jones said the Insurance Companies would not assist until the necessary steps were taken and the place declared a fire district. Mr Phillips said he had made enquires from the Companies in Auckland, and they would not lower their rates. Mr Jones said he thought the forming of a brigade rather premature. He suggested that a committee be formed to enquire into details and devise ways and means. Mr Sims said he thought the brigade should be formed and the members would be quite competent to carry out Mr Jones' suggestion. He moved that the Brigade be formed. The motion was seconded by Mr Nicholls and carried. The following names were handed in for membership:—Messrs Nicholson, Waters, Ford, Fortescue, Hattaway, Allen, Williams Phillips, Sims, Cobb, Lorigan and Steel. Dr Zobel was elected Medical Officer. Mr Waters suggested that honorary members should be elected, After discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Nicholls, seconded by Mr McNaught, that a committee, consisting of Messrs Boddie, Chilcott and < Blackman, be formed to canvass the j town for support. I