THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1055, 4 July 1883, Page 2

THE FIRE BRIGADE.

A deputation from the Patea Fire Brigade, consisting of Messrs Dixon and Bright, waited upon the ■ -Borough Council on Monday evening, with reference to obtaining a grant either in money or in plant in aid of the brigade, A letter from the brigade, asking for aid, which had been laid before the Council some months’ back, was read on the request of Mr Dixon. The Mayor : This letter has 1 been dealt with. Mr Dixon : The first part (referring to a crossing to be laid down) has, but the latter part (asking for a grant of money) was ordered to lie on the table. The secretary then gave a list of the, expenditure and the financial position of the brigade, which showed it to have 3s to its credit. ' After a few questions had been asked by Crs it was moved by Cr Aitchison—- “ That the Council agree to pay towards the support of the Fire Brigade an amount equal to that which the Insurance Companies collectively contribute.” For his part he would like to see the Insurance Companies contribute as well as the Council. Cr Adams seconded pro forma. . Cr Taplin moved as an amendment —

“ That the Fire Brigade be granted the srnn of £25, subject to the following conditions, viz .: That , they furnish this Council with: a duly audited statement of their position up to the end of June 30, 1883. Further, that they furnish the dates of the end of their financial year ; elect two auditors—one from the Insurance agents, one from the Borough Council; and that they agree to publish an annual balance sheet; also to' elect auditors from the above-mentioned bodies annually.” Cr Barton seconded pro forma.

The Mayor thought the Brigade should send a statement of what they required in detail, the Borough to have a claim on whatever it purchased. After a desultory discussion, the amendment was lost on a division. Another amendment Government tanks, the use of which has been granted to the Brigade, be erected at the corner of Gowland’s shop, Haywood’s shop, and opposite Dixon’s shop, for storm water; and that out of ordinary revenue the Council will give 7s 6d for every £ subscribed by the public or insurance companies ” was received with evident disfavour by the Council, and upon being put to the meeting, was also lost.

Or Taplin moved as a further amendment —“ That a sum of £25 be given as a grant in aid of the Patea Fire Brigade,” but this met with a similar fate to its predecessors. The Mayor: It seems that for want of a simply worded resolution all this lime and discussion has been lost. The following, moved by Cr Barton, was carried, just when it appeared as if the Council had determined to throw out every resolution with regard to the Brigade:—“ That the sum of £lO be granted to the Fire Brigade, and that the sum of 10s for each £ subscribed -by the public or the Insurance companies be granted, such sum not to exceed £25 during the current year.”