THE LATE TIMARU EIRE BRIGADE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2504, 30 March 1881, Page 3

THE LATE TIMARU EIRE BRIGADE.

A meeting of the members of the above Brigade was held last evening, at the Clarendon Hotel.

There were 11 members present, and Mr Barry was voted to the chair. The chairman stated that at the request of the sub committee, and of the members of the late Fire Brigade generally, he had called this meeting to finally settle the affairs of the late Brigade. He also drew the attention of those present to a pragraph appearing in the evening paper, and also as to what certain members had been informed, which mooted the question of the members being generally and individually responsible for any disposal of the moneys which were stated to he at the credit of the Sick and Accident Fund.

It was pointed out by several members that for years past there had been no separate accounts, and that the funds had been generally utilised for relief and assistance when called for, or when occasion demanded and payment was sanctioned by vote of a full meeting of members.

Along and somewhat desultory discussion then took place as to the best method of disposing of the funds at present in the hands of the trustees as custodians. In the course of debate it was pointed out that, should they divide the funds, each and every member would be responsible not only for the amount of his dividend, but also for the whole amount so distributed. This also was confuted by reading the lawyer’s opinion, which stated that all the funds were de facto the property of the Brigade, and the fact, as before published* that the manager of the Bank had paid over those funds to the trustees appointed by themselves to receive the same. The position was very carefully considered and throughly ventilated, the prevalent opinion, however, being that the Council had no right to interfere with them in the disposal of the funds in hand, but there was a division of opinion as to whether it would not be better and more advisable to hand

the same over to some public institution rather than resort to personal division. The matter of arrears of members was then considered, and it was decided that these must he paid forthwith, or charged against any dividend if so declared. Mr Snodgrass moved and Mr Collins seconded —‘‘That the funds remain in the hands of the trustees until further advised from a full meeting. Mr Gobble proposed as an amendment —‘‘That all funds in the hands of the trustees be divided ] )VO vatu amongst the members of the late Brigade.” Mr Dawes seconded this, and on being put to the meeting it was declared carried. Mr Snodgrass then said that the amendment having been carried (much to his regret) he would suggest that each member should hand over bis dividend to some public institution or charity according to choice. Mr Scarf said that he fully concurred with Mr Snodgrass’s sugges tion. He understood, in common with all the members present that it was impossible to control the action of each individual member, hut he had no doubt hut that they would, one and all follow the suggestion offered, After some further remarks a list of nil the members was prepared leaving a column for amount of dividend and to which charity or institute it should be paid. It was then resol veil that the dividend sheet should be prepared, and submitted to a meeting on Thursday evening next, to bo held at the Clarendon Hotel at 8 p.ra., when the money would be paid over, and the list signed, nnd that a last and final meeting, to sign accounts, should he held on Saturday evening next at the .same time and place. The meeting then terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.