CENTRAL FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5199, 20 November 1877, Page 3

CENTRAL FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The tenth annual meeting of the Central Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the station last evening. Captain Moss occupied the chair. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens and banners. Apologies for unavoidable absence were read from his Worship the Mayor, G. Hunter Esq., M.H.R., and Councillor Fisher. There was a good attendance of the officers and other members of the brigade, but not many outsiders. Of insurance agents the only representative present was Mr, Simpson, of the New Zealand office. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary read the report and balancesheet, which pressure on our space compels us to hold over until to-morrow. They were of a satisfactory character. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, observing that for the benefit of the strangers who were present he might say that these documents were prepared for the information of the members of the brigade ; but lie was sure they would be glad to hear any observations on tho report and balance-sheet that any gentleman might wish to make, or to answer any questions. The increase of their plant, especially a quantity of canvas hose, had come in at the very nick of time, when the fire at Mr. Alcorn's took place. Several lengths had been unavoidably damaged at the Murphystreet fire, and had to be condemned. This year their expenditure had heea large ; but he was sure they would be able to meet their engagements. He pointed out that the amount expended under tho head of the sick and accidental fund nearly balanced the receipts, but he hoped in future the calls upon them would not be so large. Amongst the items under the general account was, it would be observed, a grant from the General Government in lieu of the station site near the Post Office, which had been taken from them. There had been a good deal of correspondence on this matter, hut it was now satisfactorily settled; and the Insurance Companies had also settled with them by a payment of £2SP, and the Corporation had given a like amount. Captain Moss then went over tho rest of the items, observing that they had all been for necessaries which could not be done without. On the whole their affairs were in a very satisfactory state. They were out of debt as regarded the building fund. The Gymnasium Company had also been very liberal to them in not charging interest on the amount paid for the old building. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Fraser suggested that the Corporation might make an arrangement for the brigade being supplied gratuitously with gas. Mr. Maoinity expressed the pleasure he felt at being present at the meeting, and said he should have felt that he had been wanting in his duty if he had not been present that night

in response to the invitation sent to him. The grant which the Corporation .had made in aid of fire brigades was very well spent, and had his hearty approval. He congratulated the brigade on the satisfactory state of their affairs, and the excellent manner in which they all turned out and did good service in cases of emergency. He thought the insurance companies did not support the brigades as liberally as they ought. Without flattery, he thought Wellington might boast of two as fine brigades as were to be found in any place of its size, and that they were deserving of all support. He should be quite willing to vote in favor of the gas being supplied gratuitously to the brigades. Mr. Simpson said the insurance companies did fully recoguise the debt owing to the fire brigades for their services, and lie differed from Mr. Maginity in his opinion that the insurance companies did not act liberally. On behalf of the company he represented, and of the other insurance companies, he did heartily thank the brigade for their valuable services. In reply to a question from a member, the Chairman said it was in contemplation to have a firebell in the barrack yard. Mr. Maginity thought it was hard the expense should fall ou the brigades. He thought the Corporation should import one or two firehells of good size, and he would briug the matter before the Council. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded.by Lieutenant Crawford. The Chairman said he regretted that there was Hot so large an attendance of the public as might have, been expected, but this perhaps arose from the fact that the public were quite satisfied with what the brigade was doing. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. Simpson here took the chair, and the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with. The following were elected unanimously:—Captain, L. Moss; lieutenant, H. Crawford ; foreman, W. Dodswnrth ; assistant foreman, Woolcott ; secretary, W. Austen. The following were elected as branclimen;—Messrs. Cohen, Adams, Taylor, andOhristie. Thef Allowing were elected hydrantmen :—Messrs. Goodman, Capper, Murray, and Webb. Ladder men ;—Messrs. Loft and Greenfield. Committee men:—Messrs. Adams, Webb, and Woolcott. Bugler; Mr. Biddle. An abstract was read of the attendance of members at muster, and the awarding the three silver stripes was postponed to next meeting. PRESENTATION TO QAPTAIN MOSS. A very handsome gold and silver medal (purchased at the establishment of Mr. Myers), with a suitable inscription, was here presented to Captain Moss, who suitably returned thanks, saying the compliment was quite unexpected, and he really lacked words adequately to convey his thanks. In his efforts to promote tho interests of the brigade he had been liberally assisted by the insurance agents and the Corporation, and he had done no more than his duty. As regarded the building and plant, they had been greatly assisted by Sir William Fitzherbert and Mr. Bunny. The building had been paid for without going from door to door for subscriptions. He heartily thanked them for re-electing him captain, and for the handsome presentation they had made to him spontaneously. Credit had been given to a gentleman, now deceased, as the first to establish a fire brigade here, and he had been called the father of the brigade, but that was erroneous. Councillor Allen expressed the pleasure he felt at being present, and congratulated the brigade on their good conduct and the satisfactory condition of their affairs. In his place iu the City Council he should always do whatever he could to promote the interests of the brigades, and to give them every assistance iu his power. The nomination of treasurer was postponed until next meeting. Several new members joined the brigade. Votes of thanks to Captain Moss and Mr. Simpson terminated the proceedings.