Palmerston Fire Brigade

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1709, 15 May 1886, Page 2

Palmerston Fire Brigade

At the general meeting of the Pal raerston Fire Brigade held last evening about a dozen members attended including His Worship the Mayor. The first business considered was the resignation of a member of the committee Mr W. J. Haybittle, Mr Ferguson proposed and Mr Platt seconded that the resignation be not accepted. In explanation Mr Haybittle stated that the reason he had resigned was on account of the way the Brigade had been treated by the Borough Council m the matter of uniforms and fire inspectors. The Mayor stated that he had no "doubt these matters would be satisfactorily arranged at next meeting of the- Brigade. As far as the coata were concerned' be considered that if the Brigade members interested themselves on behalf of the -public, to the extent of npt only leaving their work or their comfortable homes at any hour to attend tires but also risking their lives, tbat the least they were entitled to would be clothes to wear on such occasions. He also considered that any moneys received from the public by the Brigade should be used by them and that a balance sheet should be submilted to the Council at stated periods. Mr Haybittle withdrew his resignation pending arrangement of matters with the Council. Mr Dixon wished to know if ie were true that the Fire Inspectors appointed by the Borough Council were Messrs Sol. Abrahams and Hawkins, because if so he would refuse to act under them. Sixteen years ago m Wellington a Mr Sol. Abrahams had been refused as a working member of a Fire Brigade then, and if the same person were now to hold the position of Fire Inspector he for one would resign rather than act under him. The matter dropped here for the time. Mr E. Johnston's resignation as secretary was accepted. Resignations of Messrs Leigh and Nicholson were received, but held over. Mr Dixon said that if the Fire Inspectors appointed by the Board atteuded a fire where he was, he would certainly douse them, as he considered they knew nothing about ths duties devolving on them. Mr Ferguson said that Mr Dixon's remarks might mean a great deal or nothing at all. The press was represented and it would be better to have a clear understanding about the matter before it should go before the public. . Mr Dixon had stated that he would turn the hose on the Inspectors instead of acting according to their orders. He would ask them lf.their objection was to the whole of the Inspectors or to any one member. Mr Kerslake said be believed that the objection referred to Sol. Abrahams only. Mr Ferguson asked all those present if this was the case and a -unanimous " Yes" was the reply. He would then advise them to frame a resoluuion to be laid at the next meeting of the Council, and no doubt the Council would receive it m a proper manner, and do what was best for the town and the members of the Brigade. Mr Haybittle, gldwing with enthusiastic ardor, here rose to his feet and stated that for his part he did not agree with, Mr Dixon's remarks about dousing the -Fire Inspectors, and that rather than be .mixed up with such disgraceful proceedings he would, resign his position. , Mr Platt said that m eyery brigade i fye' : had belonged to the members were'sup-^ nosed: to oijey ' the--pr<|ers ot their sujpe.piOrV officers. ;' ' : - ■■:■•— -V'if, !■ ,'.';' -V.',' ;Mr Bawljns^Smjfc^d it was alt yery : well that a ,"" fireman .. should obey his orders, but iV was 1 anofneVi&ing to" obey foolish orders, coming ,from ..incompetent persons who did; VpQiiinow* 'what their duties were, and also possibly placing; themselvesj 1 bjy'ttius 1 bbeying such orders, 1 m great danger.: •.!-/ •'><•* The question of appointing; the captain of the Bi-iisjaile-an" 'inspector was then discussed^and theinerabers ptesent were askecTßy tjs.May&r : 'if it was their wishthafcsuch should be the case. Those m favor of the ..proposition jwero requested to stand, arid all the member* responded. In reply to the Mayor, TMr Dixon stated'that this would suit him undoubtedly. . Mr Rawlins then moved that unless the captain of the B'igade be appointed Fire Inspector, the Council be notified that the members of the Brigade would resign m a body. Seconded by Mr Hosking, and carried. " Mr West remarked that m connection with the old Brigade his position had not been a very enviable. one. On three different occasions stigmas had 1 been thrown at him m the Borough Council, to the effect that he had used his position i.v the Brigade to benefit himself. He had take*n upon himself an • ardent task and responsibility, and it was very hard to have such slurs cast upon him. , II might be said that m the old Brigade he was a paid servant. Well he was certainly supposed to be. He did charge his- first year's salary £10, but instead of getting that he had lent the Brigade more cash considerably, which he did not receive back uotil a lapse of 2 years had taken place. His labor he might say m connection with the old Brigade had been one. of love, and it hurt him very much to be treated by the Council as he had been. It had also been -insinuated that he had used the Brigade's money to improve, his property by the erection of a shed. If the Council would decide to act on the suggestion of the Brigade and appoint him Fire Inspector, he should not take it as an act of grace but one of justice to which he was entitled. If not be certainly would give up his connection with the Brigade. . , v A secretary pro tern was elected m place of Mr E. Johnston. . . It was stated that the Mayor had inspected the plant and satisfied himself that it was complete. Messrs W. Hayns and A, Marsh were elected new members. Tho practice night it was resolved should be altered to Wednesday evening. The members present took charge of their coats, a list of same being taken by the secretary. It was stated that there were 24 members on the roll. The nani-'S were read out and those present answered. . No further business was done, and the meeting adjourned.