QUEENSTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 117, 11 June 1864, Page 4

QUEENSTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

A general meeting was held at Bracken's Hotel on Tuesday evening, Captain Bell in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read secretary Chamberlain's resignation, dated May 17th. Proposed by Mr R. Louttit, and seconded by Mr Buxton—" That, under the circumstances, secretary Chamberlain's resignation be accepted." Carried. The following report of the Committee was then read:— "Gentlemen —Your Committee have nothing of any moment to report, except that the Brigade is in efficient working order, being now well supplied with every requisite except an engine, about which no word has been received from the various parties communicated with. There have been no drills the past month, so they are unable to report upon the strength of the Brigade, but ; there must of necessity be a falling off, owing |to the late rush. Your late secretary having handed his resignation to the Captain and given | up the books and accounts belonging to the Bri- | gade, they have been audited by Messrs. Prit- ! chard and Crofts, appointed at last meeting, and found correct. The auditors' report shows £l6 I 19s 6d to the credit of the Brigade, together with £8 8s in the names of collectors, making a I total of £25 7s 6d. The total expenses for the ; past month has been 12s 6d., so the members . will see the Brigade is being worked most econo- ! mically; the only account outstanding is the I advertisement for the present meeting. Several i inhabitants have promised subscriptions, but : have not yet come forward. ' " Your present committee, in bringing forward their last report, would impress on the members the fact of the Brigade having been in existence only three months, and that during that time they have done their best to make it as popular as possible. They had numerous difficulties to contend with in getting it into efficient working order; but they are happy to state that everything is now straightforward for their successors. « There have been no fires since last report.

" The Ball held at Bracken's Hotel was one of the most successful held in Queenstown, and, your committee are happy to state, met with general approval." Proposed by Mr Pritchard, seconded by Mr Tyree—" That the report be received and adopted." Carried. The Auditors' Report was then read, showing accounts as stated in the Committee's report. It was adopted, on the motion of Mr Carey, seconded by Mr Horn. A vote of thanks was then passed to Mr Chamberlain, late secretary of the Brigade. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The meeting then proceeded to the election of officers. Mr Malaghan was voted to the chair, and Mr Pritchard appointed scrutineer. For the office of Captain, Messrs Horn and Bell were proposed. Captain Bell was re-elected. On the motion of Mr Weaver, seconded by Mr Buxton, Mr Horn was elected Lieutenant. Mr. Bracken was elected Sergeant, and Mr Townsend, Foreman. Mr Crofts accepted the office of Secretary conditionally that should anyone else come forward, he should be at liberty to retire. Mr T. H. Brown was unanimously reelected Treasurer. The following Committee were elected: —Messrs Carey, R. Louttit, Buxton, Weaver, Ryan, Mc Larn, Prince, Arndt. Proposed by Mr Potter, seconded by Mr Carey —"That Mr John Jenkins become a member." Carried. Notices of motion were handed in from Messr 8 Croft and Weaver. The roll was then called, and after a vote of thanks to the chair, the meeting separated. ♦