THE LATE TIMARU FIRE BRIGADE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2506, 1 April 1881, Page 2

THE LATE TIMARU FIRE BRIGADE.

The members of the late Fire Brigade held their s,n«l meeting last evening at the Clarendon Hotel. There were ten members present, and Mr Barry presided. The Chairman stated that they had been called together for the purpose of receiving reports from the treasurer and trustees, and to receive such dividend as the funds allowed. The trustees and Liquidation Committee presented a report and balance-sheet, which showed that there was in the trustees’ hands a nett balance of £9 3s 3d, to which had been added the arrears of subscriptions owing by various members. This would amount to £lO 5s 9d. It was proposed to divide this among the members (17), which would give a dividend of 12s Id per member. A list showing the dividend, after deductions for individual arrears, was also submitted. The’balance sheet having been read over and each item considered it was resolved that the same be passed as correct and signed in due form. The Chairman said that it had been proposed to hand over tne dividends to some public or private institution, but he thought that there were sundry cases of private distress which would afford a better and more satisfactory outlet for benevolent intentions. He instanced, as a case in point that there Was a family in town consisting of a man, his wife and 4 or 5 children who were struggling against most adverse circumstances. Four years ago the man while at work injured his spine and he had nere r since been able to do anything, and, in the meanwhile his wife had been supporting the family as a char and washerwoman at no inconsiderable task on her health and strength. He thought the. subscriptions would be better, employed in relieving such cases instead of being handed over to public institutions. The matter of the library was then discussed. Mr Snodgrass pointed out that it was certainly the property of the members and suggested that the hospital authorities should receive possession of it at once. Other minor matters might be passed over, but if they controlled their moneys surely this donation should be at their command. Several members drew attention to the fact that they had two solicitors’ opinions stating that the books were their own property. No action was taken, it being considered better to leave the whole onus on the hands of the new Brigade as to whether they would carry out the resolution of their predecessors or stick to books which were not legally their own. The dis bursement of the dividend then took place, and it was notified that absent members could obtain their’s at Mr Water’s shop during any business hour between this and Saturday night. Mr Snodgrass then handed in his quota as a subscription to theTimaru Hospital, and requested the same to be entered on the list, but after considerable discussion, it was decided that it would be better to leave thedisposal of each ex-member’s dividend to his own discretion as a public list would naturally be invidious. A short adjournment was then made for parting compliments, and the proceedings terminated,