CENTRAL FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5201, 22 November 1877, Page 3

CENTRAL FIRE BRIGADE.

The following is the annual report, with the balance-sheet attached, which was read and adopted at the meeting of the brigade on Monday evening, and which we were obliged to hold over from yesterday’s issue in consequence of pressure on our space:— REPORT. “ Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —In presenting to you the tenth annual report of the above brigade, your committee will give you a brief summary of the business of the past year, and at the same time wish to compliment and thank members for their good and regular attendance at fires, meetings, practices, &c. “Your committee have to report during the past year, that there has been a great number of alarms, also eleven fires, at all of which your brigade were in attendance, and rendered valuable assistance ; three of which, we regret to say, were attended with loss of life, viz, the watchman on board the ship Himalaya, a child of Mr. Alcorn’s, of Lamhton-quay ; and the last most deplorable accident of Mrs. Johnson and five children, in Murphy-street, at which fire the brigades felt the great want of water, which prevented them from extinguishing it earlier than they would otherwise have done. “Your committee report an accident which occuired to your driver, by being thrown from his seat while proceeding to an alarm of fire, causing an injury to himself and horses, and a considerable expense to the brigade in hiring horses and engaging a station-keeper. “ Your committee are pleased to report that they have received 500 ft. of canvas hose from the insurance companies, and also that a reel has been made for carrying the same, which it is intended to place in some convenient and central position in Te Aro. “ Your committee wish to draw your attention to your general fund, compared with last year, although your expenditure has been the largest since the formation of the brigade, principally owing to the large amount of calls out and fires, together with the accident previously referred to ; also, the amount paid off the building, alteration to your station, and the purchase of two horses. The outstanding liabilities last year were £6lB ss. Id., while this year your balance to debit oulyshows £lB3 Is. 6d., showing you to have reduced your liabilities £-135 3s. 7d., which must be very satisfactory to you. The amount of expenditure for the past year has been—general expenses and building account, £llO3 14s. Bd.; and your receipts have been £llß2 15s. lid., leaving a balance in bank of £79 Is. Bd.

“ Your committee, with the present prospect, have every hope that at the next annual meeting they will he able to report that your brigade is entirely clear of debt ; and for your information state now that your station is clear of debt, with the exception of £IOO lent from your sick and accident fund.

“ Your sick and accident fund is in a satisfactory state. Although calls have been made upon it, it shows a credit balance of £135 6s. 6d. Unfortunately one of your members has sustained asevere accident, and still remains in the Hospital. “Your committee wish to compliment you on the unasked for assistance yon have generously given to the same member, voluntarily subscribing a sum of money for his family to assist them in their misfortune. “Your committee have to inform you that your engine stations, engines, hose-reels, hose, and plant are in a thorough state of repair, although considerably reduced in quantity by the late fire, having had several lengths of leather hose badly damaged by being burnt. For your information we annex a list of the plant. “ Your committee are pleased to see you show every confidence in your officers by nominating them for [re-election again this year. “In concluding this report your committee hope the members will endeavor to retain their present efficiency, and continue as usual with promptitude to give their attendance at fires, meetings, practices, &c., and remember the motto, ‘ United to save.’ ”

Balance-Sheet of the C.V.F. Brigade. GENERAL FOND.

£llß2 15 11 Outstanding liabilities. loan to Sick and Accident Kund, material, &c. .. £IBB I 6 Examined and found correct. 1 W t H. Mekk, ) .... John W. Stevknbon, ] Auditors. 10th November, 1877.

W, H. Meek . ) John W, Stevenson f Auditors -, November 10, 1877.

ADDRESS TO CAPTAIN MOSS. The following address to Captain Moss was read by the Secretary;— “Dear Sir, —I have had the honor to be chosen by the officers and members of the brigade to express to you, as their captain, the unbounded respect and esteem in which you are held by them. “First, for your zeal, perseverance, and energy in everything connected with brigade business ; also, the indomitable spirit you have always displayed in surmounting obstacles that many would never have attempted; or, if attempted, would have failed. “ I am now speaking more especially in connection with the purchase of the Gymnasium, and also in giving so much time and attention to the great alterations required to make a suitable station for your brigade. The station now is second to none in the colony, and reflects the greatest credit on you, is likewise a benefit to the brigade, and a useful institution for the city. “ Secondly, your untiring exertions and perseverance, which have at last been crowned with success, in obtaining the long promised grant-in-aid from the Insurance Companies. “ And last but not least we compliment you on the great business tact and ability you displayed in your negotiations with the General Government, in effecting tho transfer of the Post Office engine station, and also the very unexpected and gratifying amount received for it. “ Your brigade wish to express to you their high admiration of you as their head, by the kindly feeling you always express and endeavor to inculcate in them for their mutual benefit, making all who know respect and esteem you, they having always found you to be gentlemanly and considerate to all, making no distinctions, showing you to be the right man in the right place. “ I have now much pleasure in presenting to you this medal, having been purchased individually by the officers and members of your brigade, as a small mark of their esteem for you. They at the same time wish to state that although its actual value is not great they hope you will excuse what it lacks in that, and accept their warmest wishes; and may you long continue to he the head of the C.Y.F. Brigade, “ In conclusion, we also in your private life wish yon, Mrs. Moss, and family, every happiness and prosperity, and may you all live long to enjoy each others society is tbe earnest and sincere wish of the officers and members of the C.V.F. Brigade. “ W. Austen, Hon. Sec. “November, 1877.”

Receipts. £ 3. d. 1876.—To balance in bank ,. 1 2 10 1877.—-General Government grant to engine station .. 300 0 0 Corporation grant for building 250 0 0 Insurance .. 250 0 0 Public subscriptions 134 0 7 Corporation subsidy 225 0 0 E, Pearce, donation of Gymnasium shares 18 17 6 J. 15. Nathan 5 15 0 £1182 15 11 Expenditure. £ a. d. 1877.—By mlvertlslnj ii e 4 Engine-keeper.. .. 120 0 9 Horse hire and horses 78 11 0 Refreshments .. 23 11 0 Horse feed 76 11 10 Gas account 33 8 9 Sundries .. - 47 4 4 Material 112 13 0 Labor at fires 13 18 6 Engine cleaning 24 16 0 Building account 503 19 C Balance in bank .. 79 1 S

HICK AND ACCIDENT FUND. Receljjls. £ s. d. 1870.—To balance in bank .. .. .. 17 19 0 Loan to building account .. .. 100 0 0 1877. — Members subscriptions 23 5 0 To interest on loan to building account.. 17 10 0 £158 14 0 Expenditure. £ B. d. 1877,—B y building account 100 0 0 Sick pay to members ,. 12 12 0 Medical attendance .10 15 0 Balance in bank 35 6 0 £158 14 0 Statement of funds, and how invested— Loan to general fund £100 0 0 Balance in bank 35 0 0 Examined and found correct. £135 ; C 0