TIMARU FIRE BRIGADE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2491, 15 March 1881, Page 2

TIMARU FIRE BRIGADE.

A special meeting of the above Brigade was held last evening at the engine house. There were 18 members present, Captain Murray being in the chair. Captain Murray stated that in accordance with a resolution passed at a special meeting held on Thursday last to consider a paragraph in that day’s “ Herald ” concerning the Brigade, he had consulted Mr Hamersley thereon, and the Secretary would now read the replies he had received from that gentleman. The Secretary then read the following letters: — Timaru, March 12,1880. To the Captain and members of the Timaru Y. Fire Brigade.

Gentlemen, —My opinion has been asked as to: Firstly, your position with the Borough Council; and secondly, your right as to the disposal, in case of disbanding, of a certain sum of money lying at the Bank of New Zealand, the result of a subscription paid by the public towards your sick and accident fund. Firstly: Iftheßorough Council fail to provide boots I think the Brigade j ustified in disbanding. Secondly: As to the ownership of the money collected from the public for the sick and accident fund. It is clearly the property of the Brigade, and they are at liberty to draw it from the Bank. But, it having been subscribed for a particular object, should the Brigade disband, I should advise that the money be paid to any public charitable institution, so that the public cannot be in a position to say that any of the funds have been misappropriated.

A. St. G. Hameksley, Solicitor.

Having read the note in the “ Timaru Herald,” remarking on the propriety of the Fire Brigade disbanding and withdrawing the money from the Bank that had been subscribed for and paid into the sick and accident fund, I do not think that an action for libel could be sustained against the editor of the “Herald,” but, though not libellous, I think it very scurrillous. A. St. G. Hameksley, Solicitor.

Considerable discussion then took place as to the disposal of this money, various suggestions being made by different members, such as giving it to the Hospital, Benevolent Society, or handing it over to the Rocket Brigade. One member suggested it might be given to the new Brigade when formed, but as it was generally understood that none of the present members would offer for re-appointment, this motion was generally discountenanced as unfair to the retiring Brigade. Eventually it was proposed by Lieutenant Barry, seconded by Fireman Snodgrass and carried unanimously—“ That the funds in the Bank of New Zealand be removed from the present account, and be lodged to the credit of Messrs Edward Waters, and Edward Chiffey as trustees for the present Brigade.” Proposed by Fireman Kelly, seconded by Fireman Dawes, “ That a cheque for the amount of the balance in the Bank to the credit of the Brigade be at once drawn for that purpose.” Carried unanimously. The Treasurer was authorised to pay Mr Hamersley’s fee for advice, and trifling outstanding accounts, one of Mr W. Dale’s accounts was ordered to be paid, and the other referred to the Borough Council. The Chairman then stated that he had just received the following letter from the Town Clerk : Timaru, March 14,1881. Captain and members of the Timaru V. F. Brigade. Gentlemen,—l have the honor by direction of the Timaru Borough Council to hand you copy of a resolution passed at a meeting held on this the 14th inst:— “ That the Council accept the resignation of the members of the Fire Brigade, and the Town Clerk be instructed to advertise in the official paper for gentlemen to send in their names who are willing to form a new Fire Brigade, and that, for the future, a sum of money be granted in lieu of the annual distribution of boots. E. H. Lough, Town Clerk. Proposed by Lieutenant Barry, seconded by Fireman Snodgrass, and carried by acclamation—“ That the Borough Council having treated our last communication as an absolute resignation, and made no overture as regards our demand that they should fulfil our legtimate demand for boots, this Brigade, at the termination Of this meeting, disband.” The members then proceeded to allocate the private property of the Brigade amongst themselves or otherwise as deemed fitting, and at this stage Mr Dale (foreman of works, Timaru Borough Council) entered the room, and stated he hud been sent by the Council to see that none of the Council’s property was removed by the members of the Brigade. A natural outburst of indignation at this pointed insult took place, and when it subsided Mr Dale was sent back to the Council with a letter stating that it was not the intention of the members to remove anything that was not legitimately their own, and that Mr Ruscoe, the engine keeper, their own servant, was present as they well knevy. The following letter was then drafted and signed by all the members present to his Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors : Gentlemen—The Council not having complied with our just demand to be supplied with boots, we resign our membership of the Timaru Volunteer Fire Brigade.

[Here follow signatures of the whole of the present working members.] The library of the Brigade was voted to the Timaru Hospital. It was decided that the small torches, the private property of the Brigade, be presented to the Timaru Volunteer Artillery Band after the final celebration ball to ha given by the members of the Brigade in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday night, the 22nd inst. , The following liquidation committee was appointed to act with the trustees in the final settlement of affairs of the present Brigade, viz., Messrs Collins, Kelly, Snodgrass, Gobble, and Cameron. This concluded the proceedings, and the Brigade then disbanded.