FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4573, 16 November 1875, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Central Volunteer Fire Brigade was held in the hall of Messrs. Bethuue and Hunter’s premises last evening. The attendance of members was full (Captain Moss occupying the chair). Mr. Hunter, M.H.E., was also present. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

Of the matters arising out of the minutes, the Chairman stated the only thing of im-po-itance was the carrying out of a suggestion to carry life-lines on the hook-and-ladder carriage. The adoption of this suggestion made at last meeting was a subject for congratulation.

The report and balance-sheet were read, as. follows : Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —In presenting to yon our eighth annual report. yonr_ committee will give you a brief summary of the business of the past year, and at the same time have to thank members for their regular attendance at all alarms of fire, meetings, practices, &c. . , Your committee also have much pleasure in reporting that during the last twelve months there have not been any serious fires. This is no doubt in a. great measure attributable to the very excellent supply of water in the town, although your services have been called on a great many times for false alarms, chimneys, &c. . .. Your committee with pleasure express their entire satisfaction in the working of their new plant, viz,, hose-reels, hook and ladder carriage, &c. Your committee have to draw your attention to the want of increased accommodation for then* extra plant, and at the same time state that with the promised assistance of the Government the Thorudon engine-house will be altered and put in thorough repair, so as to meet present requirements. Your committee also inform you that they have purchased life-lines, to enable you to save life ; also, light ladders for scaling the roofs of buildings, so as to fasten over the ridge-board, it having been reported as dangerous to trust to the shingles on most buildings. Your committee with pleasure report that your Brigade is at its full strength of good and efficient men, and also a great many applications from others wishing to join. .... , Your committee inform you that they have made satisfactory arrangements for horses to attend both your engine stations at the first alarm ol fire, night or Your committee wish to draw your attention to the balance-sheet of the general fund, in which will bo seen that the balance to credit, viz., £S4 13s. 10d., not being so large as last year is attributable to extra horse hire and the purchase of extra plant, &c. Your committee have much pleasure in reporting on the flourishing state of your sick and accident fund. Although having had many calls, it still shows

a credit balance of .£2l 2s. Your committee have to inform members that the Post-office engine. house, not being large enough to hold all the plant, they have been obliged to remove the engine until they get increased accommodation ; and also state that your plant is in as good repair and condition as it is possible to be kept by willing and attentive men, and for your information annex a list of plant belonging to the Brigade. Appended is a list of subscriptions for the past Your committee, before concluding their report, have to mention with pleasure of the very handsome present made to your Brigade by Captain "Williams of a large bell, which your committee intend to have erected over their engine station at Thorndon as soon as the alterations are completed. In concluding this report, your committee compliment the members of this Brigade ©n their regular attendance and general efficiency, and hope they will retain the same, and continue to give their attendance with promptitude at fires, meetings, practices, &c., and remember the matto, “United to Save.**

Audited and found correct, W. H. Meek I Auditors John W. Stevensok | AuaiCols - Wellington, 3Tov. 8, 1875.

Foreman Crawford then read a list of the plant. Captain Moss said he was peculiarly gratified to see that there were indications of the brigade’s being taken greater notice of than formerly. At previous annual meetings they had always had the pleasure of seeing one gentleman present (Mr. Hunter), but during the last few years the Press had been conspicuous by their absence ; and he was therefore exceedingly glad to see that the Press was represented at the present meeting. During the past year he was happy to say that there had been really little work for the brigade to do, their labor having been confined to turning out on false alarms or extinguishing chimney fires. He trusted such a state of things might continue, and that, while they maintained their efficiency, there would be little need for their services. With regard to a remark in the report touching increased accommodation, he might say that the want of it had been felt for a considerable time past. The fact that they had no suitable building of their own in which to hold their meetings was a matter for regret. He had no doubt, however, that they would be enabled to provide accommodation for themselves, and that the insurance companies and public generally would lend them every assistance. Owing to the kindness of Mr. Hunter they held their meeting that evening in a room, than which it would be difficult to find one more suitable. He hoped also that they would be enabled to possess themselves of a reading-room with a small library, in order to offer some attraction to men, and to combine pleasure with their duties. This was done in other places, and had proved very beneficial—he might instance Dunedin and Christchurch. He then referred to the sick and accident fund, which was supported solely by the members of the brigade, and said truly that it was an institution which did the brigade infinite credit. He moved the adoption of the report and ballanoe sheet. Seconded by Mr. Jenkins, and carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. Hunter took the chair while the election of officers was proceeded with, at the request of Captain Moss. The following officers were elected :—Captain Moss (re-elected) ; Jenkins, lieutenant; Crawford, foreman ; S. Webb, assistant-fore-man ; Dodswood, treasurer ; Austin, secretary. Mr. Hunter congratulated the members on the re-election of Mr. Moss, under whose command ho hoped they wou’d continue to be as efficient as they had been in the past. Captain Moss and the other officers replied suitably. Mr. Hunter, as a citizen of Wellington, and representing the insurance companies, expressed the obligations conferred by the brigade. It was a very satisfactory thing to ho assured that the brigade were ready and able to render efficient service should it unfortunately happen that their services were required. Mr. Hunter remarked upon the immunity from fires enjoy ed by W ellington; and hoped, as all will, that such would continue. He concluded by expressing his willingness to place that room at the disposal of the brigade for meeting purposes whenever they might require it, so long as it was not previously asked for by others. Mr. Hunter then vacated the chair, and Captain Moss resumed the office of chairman, and thereupon moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hunter, which was carried enthusiastically. The election of a number of minor officers was then proceeded with. At the conclusion of this, Captain Moss proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring treasurer, Mr. Ames, who was compelled to discontinue gratuitous

services, performed with great ability, owing to the pressure on his time being too great ; and he trusted they should be enabled to offer him some small testimonial as a recognition of his services to the brigade. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

GEKERA.Ii FUND. • Receipts, £ s. d. 1S74. To balance .. 10-4 4 s 1S75. ,, Insurance grant .. 100 0 0 MavSl. ,, General Crovernment Grant -. Id 5 0 May 31. ,, Subscriptions .. .. 07 3 0 Sept. S. „ ,, .. IX Oct. 13. „ „ Total . £331 11 s 1S75 Expenditure. £ s. cl. To materials, repairs, &c .. 74 0 2 , Refreshment at fires, &c. .. 34 13 G ,, Horse hire to fires, &c .. 75 6 0 .. Gas account 15 Commission collecting subscriptions .. 11 1C 0 ,, 'Watchman’s account 10 10 0 „ Printing and advertising.. .. 17 6 C ., Stamps &c, .. C „ Sundries 6 Cleaning engine, &c. .. 11 8 6 „ Balance at bank .. .. 90 18 Less cheque not presented 6 5 Total 10 0 .. £331 11 S ]'\v L } AUdit0rS - Wellington, November 8, 1875. SICK AND ACCIDENT FUND. cl. 1874. To Balance 9 7 0 1875. „ Members subscriptions .. 23 16 0 Total .. £33 3 0 Expenditure. £ s. d. 1875. By Sick Allowance to Members 0 0 0 ,, Medical attendance 6 1 0 „ Balance at Bank .. .. 21 2 0 Total .. £33 3 0 Statement of Funds and How Invested. £ s. a. Deposited w-lth the Wellington Trust and Loan Company .. .. .. .. 05 3 6 Balance at Bank 21 2 Total .. £116 5 G