Fire Brigade.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1048, 14 March 1882, Page 2

Fire Brigade.

An adjourned meeting was held last night in the Masonic Hall to take into 'further consideration the best and most efficient means of forming a Fire Brigade.' His'Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and called on Mr Filo for an expression to the meeting.

Mr File spoke with reference to the different meetings which had taken place, and moved—- “ That this meeting cordially endorses and approves of the movement to secure for the town a Fire Brigade, but whilst doing to ia of opinion that large property owner#, the Borough Council, and the Insurance Companies should put down a substantial sum for necessary appliances, and a guarantee of an annual amount for accident fund.” He spoke at some length on the motion, mentioning that the men should be supphed with uniforms and helmets. Mr Henderson seconded the resolution, giving his reasons at length for so doing. Mr D. Orr moved as an amendment — “That the present Fire Brigade be reorganised, and that all those who are now willing to join a Volunteer Fire Brigade give in their names.” Mr. W. K. McLean seconded Mr. Orr’s amendment, and urged the necessity of beginning de novo. Mr. Burch then spoke to the amendment at some length, and was followed by Mr. Townley who maintained that the Brigade as previously formed was to all intents and purposes a Brigade still, and could not bo dissolved without some good reason. Mr. Tharratt said the property owners did not care much about the fires. He owned property as valuable to him as Mr. Townley’s was to him. He proposed that the Brigade ns formed should stand. Mr Matthews then made some remarks, and was followed by Mr File, who did not wish to throw cold water on the progress of the brigade. The property owners should come forward and state definitely what they would give. Let the meeting give the present. Fire Brigade their support. It would be a Volunteer Brigade, not a paid one. Tho amendment was then put and lost. Tho original motion was then put and carried. Mr Towniey moved that the resolution be presented to the Borough Council to-morrow evening, being carried by a large majority of property holders it should carry some weight and he hoped that they would carry it out in its entirety. Mr W. K. McLean seconded the motion, and repudiated tho motion that Insurance Companies would not contribute. A great deal had been said about property holders coining forward to support a Are brigade. In all other places Fire Brigades were firstly Volunteer Brigades, and if they were found worthy, were then supported. He thought the Gisborne people would be wise in acting thus. His Insurance Co., would contribute, pro rata, with others in support of the brigade. He read a telegram from Messrs Carr and Son, to the effect that Insurance Companies would contribute in proportion to funds raised from other sources. The Borough Councils support was ridiculously small. The Insurance Companies were not averse to giving assistance, but wanted to see some proper organisation and something tangible in the way of an efficient brigade being formed. If the Borough Council would help themselves they would obtain the assistance of the Insurance Companies. The Mayor then declared the meeting closed.