KUMARA FIRE BRIGADE.

Kumara Times, Issue 191, 15 May 1877, Page 2

KUMARA FIRE BRIGADE.

A public -meeting to consider the advisability of establishing a Fire Brigade in Kumara was held last night at the Auld Reekie Hotel, Seddonstreet. There was a large attendance of persons interested. Mr Keenan was voted to the chair and in a few: pertinent remarks referred to the urgent necessity of a Fire Brigade, He instanced the repeated warnings the townspeople had received, referring at the same time to the fire at Tudball’s on Monday, last, and to the want of proper appliances on that occasion. He trusted the present movement vtonld be /.more successful than the former one had been, and hoped that, whoever might be appointed on the Committee to canvass for. subscriptions, the people would heartily support and carry out the object of the present movement. He then called Mr Bishop to move the first resolution which was as follows :

“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is urgently necessary, for the protection of life and property, that a Fire Brigade be formed in Kumara.”

The proposer spoke, at some length, on the usefulness of efficient Fire Brigades, and the security afforded by them in other towns, and mentioned the fact that there were a number of ex-firemen in Kumara, who would be only too willing to lend their services, provided the necessary plant and gear were obtained. A Fire Brigade established here, would be the means of reducing the cost of insurance, and would give greater security to life and property. He trusted that the gentlemen who would be appointed to canvass the town for subscriptions, in aid of the object, would work with zeal and not allow the movement to die a sudden death, as on a former occasion. It was the townspeople whose property was at stake and he hoped that they would come forward with their usual liberality and support a worthy cause.

The resolution was seconded by Mr Fitzsimmons, and carried unanimously. Mr H. Cuming proposed the next resolution, as follows ;—- “That in compliance with the foreminw resolution, a Volintes’- Fire Brigide be f >rmed for Kumara, and that a provisional committee be appointed to consist of Messrs Seddon, • Hanna, Bulstrode Rusts:, Hannan, O’Brien, O'Hara, and Rohloff, to canvass the town for subscriptions, and report in a week.”

In doing so the speaker enteredfully into the importance of the subject, and dilated at some length on the advantages of a Fire Brigade in a town like Kumara, built entirely of timl er. He strongly urged upon those present, and particularly the committee for canvassing the town, to make energetic efforts to ensure the success of the movement. They were all aware that without the sinews of war little could be done, so that, in a great measure, the success or Otherwise of the objeOt of the meeting would depend upon those gentlemen appointed to collect Subscriptions. He strongly deprecated the lukewarm manner the question had been dealt With on a previous occasion, and could only hope the second attempt Would be more successful.

Mr M‘Lei lan seconded the resolution, which WaS carried unanimously.

Mr Menteath, in moving the third resolution, spoke in appropriate terms of. the urgent necessity of having a thoroughly organised body to act in the event of a conflagration breaking out. He concluded by proposing-

“ That Messrs King, Bishop, and Skelton, be appointed to receive applications from persons willing to be enrolled Members of the Kumara Volunteer Fire Brigade.” '

The proposition Was duly seconded by Mr Heinz and carried.

Before the meeting broke up the chairman referred to the apparent indifference shown, by a large number of the townspeople absent from the meeting, The formation of a Fire Brigade waa a question of great importance and in which they were all more or leas largely interested. He could only hope that the gentlemen appointed to canvass the town for subscriptions would be able to give a good account of their stewardships when they next met. The meeting was then formerly adjourned till Monday next at 8 p.m; at the same place.

[We are requested to state that any one wishing to join the proposed Fire Brigade can sign the listwhicb lies for that purpose at Messrs Cowljshaw and Plaisted’s, Seddon-street.]