TE KUITI FIRE BRIGADE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 282, 3 August 1910, Page 2

TE KUITI FIRE BRIGADE.

Annual Meeting. The first annual meeting of Te Kuiti Volunteer Fire Prigade was held on Monday night in llattaway's Hall, a large number of members and several representatives of the fire prevention committee of the Borough Council ing present. Mi W. S. King elected chairman of the meeting. The chairman apologised on behalf of Messrs J. Boddie and D. P. Young, for their absence from tho meeting. Mr 11. /lane, secretary of the brigade, welcomed tho representatives of the borough and the press, and said this was the first occasion of meeting (.hem. Mr Ford expressed similar sentiments. Mr .lane then read his report, which stated that since the formation of the brigade in April, 1900, funds had been raised for the purchase of a second-hand manual engine, aOilft of delivery hose and ,30ft of suction hose, etc., at a cost of A',27 ISs Sd. A ball had been held in Hie Town Hall, proving a financial success. Two concerts were also given and left ,i2i .Is lid to the good. Twenty firemen had resigned during the year and others had been elected to till vacancies. The brigade affiliated to the United Fire Brigade Association during the year. Tho brigade hail requested the Borough Council to take over the liability of .£27 ISs Sd and provide a meeting and social room, a lire' alarm and uniform as soon as possible. The receipts and expenditure since he had taken over the secretaryship were as follows: - .£2l os Id receipts, made up of proceeds from dramatic (dub, concerts and donations. The expenditure included advertising, printing, U.F.B.A. contribution, overdraft, repayment, alterations to engine house, stamps, stationery and petty expenses, and amounted t0.£21 os Sd, leaving £2 IDs Sd on hand. He advocated ambulance pi act ice for brigadesmen, and hoped at, the next, annual meeting they would be able to combine an annual dinner with it. The brigade should be represented at. (lie U.F.B.A. conference and join forces with the Auckland district U.F.B.A. and partake of the benefit:', to be obtained.

.Mr F. M. Ilatlaway, treasurer, read a statement of receipts and payments since lie had taken the work over which shown! X2 l!»a Sd in hand, lie had mil had Lime to prepare a detailed ualant'o sheet.

The chairman said they accepted Mr Uattaway's statement, of accounts as a correct record, hut they wanted a properly r.udiC'd balance - sheet. Ho mover] that, the statement be received.

Mr Somerville also thought it would be better (o have a properly drawn balance-sheet. As they knew, the Purnugb Council would have; to take over the hi igade and things should bo put in proper order. Mr Ford seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr ,lane proposed that the rules be adopted, and a long discussion arose on the question of adopting or not adopting the rules. Mr Nicholson explained that the rules were read over two months ago, and left, for adoption at the annual meeting. There were <»nly one or two very small things to adjust. Mr Cobb proposed that the rules be confirmed. Mr Ford seconded, and the motion war, carried. Mr Nicholson then proposed that copies of the rules he printed at once and circulated amongst members of the brigade. Mr Blackman seconded. Carried. The purchase of a roll-book was also authorised, on the proposition of the secretary. Flection of Ol'iicers. The election of officers led to a keen contest for the position of captain, Mr Jan; securing 10 voles and Mr Ford !) votes. Mr Jane was accordingly elected. The feature of the remaining elections was the large number of refusals to stand, commented on in deprecatory terms by the chairmna. Ultimately the following complete list was made up: President, Mr James Boddio; captain, Mi- 11. .Pino; lieutenant, Mr Powry; foreman, MrCobh; secretary, Mr.!. Frikson: treasurer, Mr F. M. Ilaltaway; auditors, Messrs W. S. King; das. Poddio and R. M. Somerville; trustees. Messrs Boddie and McDonald; hon. surgeon, l)r Zobel. The chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks l<i the retiring officers, saying that, the only time he saw them out they worked heartily and well.

Mr Nicholson expressed the thanks of the brigade for the. kind way the chairman had spoken of them, and mentioned the coming tiro brigade ball on August- 11 th.

Tin" following honorary working members wore elected: Messrs W. S. Kiiij.':, K. M. ISomi'i'villc and D. L. Young.

Mr Somorvillc. expressed his thanks (or their putting him on the list, and said that since being elected chairman of the (ire brigade committee of the council he had felt it his duty to tako an active interest in the brigade. In any way he could he would help them. Mr Jane expressed thanks for the confidence shown in him, and promised to do his best.

Votes of (hanks to the chairman and to Mr Sims, for the use of his shed for storing the engine, concluded the proceedings.