VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 134, 10 August 1864, Page 2

VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

A general meeting of the above body was held last evening at the Criterion Hotel Capt. Bell in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary stated that there was nothing to report specially for the past month ; there had been no fires and nothing particular had happened. No money had been paid out. ('apt. Bell-I promised to give my reasons for giving up the position I hold. I think I am not the fittest man, and 1 willingly resign in order to allow some member who may have more influence. Ido not see much use in anvone remaining captain, as we have no engine, and any member can direct the Brigade in the bucket drill as well as mysclt. Von will always find me furthering the Brigade in every way, and doing all 1 can at any tire. I really believe my resignation would advance the Brigade. Mr Carey—l am glad our worthy captain has no more valid reason to allege, iit the last meeting Capt. Bell was re-elected. \\ e 'who form the Brigade cannot see that (apt. Bell is not competent to manage the Brigade: I do not know where to find a better man. If any inhabitants of the town disapproved of Mr Bell's appointment as captain let them speak out; for myself, I hope Capt. Bell will not resign, for he is the right man in the right place. Mr Arndt—l entirely agree with Mr Carey, and feel confident that the whole Brigade has great respect for Capt. Bell. Mr Louttit — lam very sorry to hear Capt. Bell speak of resigning. lie has brought the Brigade to a state of very creditable efficiency. I do hope he will be induced to withdraw his resignation. He is perfectly capable of leading the Brigade as well as conducting it, and to undertake the direction in any case of emergency which may occur on the occasion of fire in the town. I have always observed that Capt. Bell was the first man on the spot, and the foremost in every work that was necessary to be done. I sincerely hope that Capt. Bell will be induced to withdraw his resignation. Mr Webster—l fully agree with the last speaker. I consider Captain Bell's services most invaluable. His experience in the routine of a fire brigade and in the management of an engine point him out clearly as the fittest man in Queenstown to be oar captain.

Capt. Bell —I really want language to express inv feelings. I liave never been a c;ip - tain before, but only a sergeant I still urge upon you the fact that I believe many keep aloof from the Brigade because I am the head of it. If you will elect somebody else I shall be most happy at all times to give you thobonoHt of" ii.y oxporuMlOO. I PPrttiinly do know something about it, for I had the honor of instructing Mr Bryson, the head of the brigade in Glasgow. Volunteer tire brigades r> o here are, however, quite different from those I have been associated with at home. 1 feel flattered at the attention I have always met with at your hands, and if you think my resignatio . detrimental to the Brigade I will withdraw it. (Applause.) Mr Weaver —I think so strongly on the matter that I give my opinion that if Captain Bell resigns his present office the Brigade will in all probability be broken up altogether. Mr Crofts—As to Captain Bell's argument in favor of resigning, all I can say is that if others of our townsmen wish to be captain let them join the Brigade and shew what they are made of; otherwise, let them stop away and not interfere with what does not concern them. I hope Capt. Bell will not be induced to resign by any such nonsense. We are the best judges as to his fitness for the post lie holds, and I believe we all unanimously wish him to retain it.

Capt. Bell—l could not possibly press my resignation after the kind expressions of so many members of the Brigade. I am very proud of your good opinion, and as long as you choose I will remain your captain. (Applause.) Mr Horn inquired whether anything had been heard about an engine. Mr Croft explained that he had no time in town to make the necessary inquiries. Proposed by Mr Webster and seconded by Mr Horn—" That the secretary be instructed to insert an advertisement in the Otago Daily Times, requesting tenders to be sent in for a fire engine; and also to write to the Government asking when the promised subsidy would be paid " Carried. Proposed by Mr Carey, seconded by Mr Tyree—"That the captain, lieutenant and secretary be empowered to draw up the advertisement." Carried.

The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the captain and the reading of the roll call, to which we are sorry to say there were fewer respondents by i'ar than there ought to have been.