UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2781, 21 February 1882, Page 2

UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION.

CONPEHENCE OF DELEGATES

Yesterday, after our going to press, the Conference discussed at some length the Fire Brigades Bill as amended since last session by the embodiment of suggestions received. Clause 15, which demanded that an iron ladder should be kept attached to the walls of public buildings as a means of escape from fire, was amended by the addition of the words “or other approved means of escape ” after the words “ iron ladder.” Captain Amos was not very sanguine of anything useful to the Brigades being achieved by legislation, and suggested ihat the Bill should be dropped. An amendment to strike put all the clauses after clause 16 was carried by a large majority. Some consideration was given to the case of Fireman Robb, of Dunedin, and the circumstances of the case were detailed. The.silver Maltese,cross to be presented to him was handed round, and the design approved of. The mode of presentation was decided to be left till next day. The Conference adjourned/at 5 p.m. till 10 a m. this morning. THE BANQUET. .} : - A banquet was given last evening by the Timaru Fire Brigade to the Association delegates attending the Conference, in the Barnard street hall, which passed off m6st ■ successfully There were about fifty persons present, among the invited guests being his Worship the Mayor, Dr Hammond, Honorary Surgeon to the •Timaru. Brigade, Mr J. Jackson, Fire Inspector, Messrs Wildie and Rutherford, repre-1 seating Insurance Companies, and Captain Hamersley, the officer coinmanding the local Volunteers. Captain Ajnos, of the Timaru Fire Brigade, of course occupied the Chair, having on his right the Mayor, and on his left: Superintendent Harris, President, of; the Association. The Vice-chairs were; ocupied by Lieutenant Geise and! Foreman Reid. Mr Madden catered; for the occasion very efficiently, and the, tables were prettily decorated with, boquots by Mr Fitzgerald. After full justice had been done to the more substantial repast, and the “Roederer” produced, the Chairman proposed “the Queen and Royal Family,” and next “the Army, Navy, ’and Volunteers,” coupled with the name of Captain Hamersley, referring in complimentary terms to the part recently played by that gentlemen and the Volunteer force of New Zealand in i connection with the Parihaka difficulty.; In responding, Captain Hamersley pointed out the great national importance of the Volunteer movement in Great; Britain, as through it the mother country; was able to maintain a high military position among the nations of Europe, with a comparatively very small standing army,and the V olunteer system would | yet be found of great value in New; Zealand. If war should ever break out between Great Britain and, any other Great Power, there was always a danger of this occurring—it could not be doubted for a moment,that >the enemy: would send cruisers to attack the colonies at their , most accessible points—the ports and coast towns.’ The maintenance of a Volunteer defence force was therefore a matter deserving the serious; consideration of every colonist. :It was clear that the coast towns would be those first assailed, and consequently the: formation of coastal defences, Artillery/ and Naval Brigades, should be the most 1 encouraged. -As a volunteer he had’ very great sympathy with Firemen, for; their life in its most important aspects resembled that of a soldier. There were; dangers to life and limb to be encoun- 1 tered, and the call .of duty must often be obeyed under the most disagreeable circumstances. As the possession of an efficient Volunteer army gave England confidence in dealing with her neighbours, knowing that she could rely upon them turning but should occasion require it, so the existence’ of an efficient Volunteer Fire Brigade gaye the citizens of a: town confidencein the midst of the constant’ danger from fire. 1

The Chairman then proposed “ The House of Representatives ” coupled with the name of; Captain. Sutter, the Member for Gladstone. In doing so be apologised for . the absence of the Member for Timaru, who was unable to be present. Captain Sutter briefly responded. Song—Mr Wildie. Toast—The Mayor and Borough Councillors.”

Song—Branchman Samuels. The Mayor in returning thanks for the last toast expressed the satisfaction felt, and often expressed, among them selves, by the. Council at the existence of so efficient a Brigade in the town, They would always be only too glad - to assist the Brigade in every way but unfortunately the state of their funds prevented them from rendering assistance of the most useful kind. He was pleased that the conference was being held in’ Timaru this year, arid had no ’ doubt •their deliberations ■ would result in rules and suggestions being made that would be of benefit to the Brigades, and through them to the public at large. He conclude jby pro posing “ The United Fire Brigades Association ” coupled with the name of the President. Recitation—Foreman Reid.

Superintendent Harris, in responding expressed the pleasure of the visitors at the cordial reception that had been accorded them in Timaru. These annual gatherings were bound to strengthen the bonds of union between the Brigades, to a degree that it would be hard to over estimate, and would result in permanent practical advantages being gained of a most useful kind. Referring to the Fire Brigades Bill which it was proposed to get passed if possible, be gave it as his opinion that Municipal Corporations, in the interest of the citizens they represented, should assist in getting a measure passed, and thereby secure their constituencies from the imposition of sham Brigades. He was of opinion that Insurance Companies should not be looked to for contributions towards keeping Fire Brigades in good order. It would be better for the townspeople, through their Municipal Councils, to entirely support the Brigades, and then insist upon the Insurance companies reducing their rates. Such assistance would not, however, be necessary, the reductions would follow as amatter of epursealmost. He trusted that the Mayor of Timaru, as a Member of the House of Representatives, would assist the Association in its efforts to improve the organisation and status of Fire Brigades throughout New Zealand.

Toast —“The Visiting Brigades,” proposed by Inspector Jackson, and responded to by Optain Murphy, Dnnedin, and Superintendent While ford, Wellington. Song—Fireman Smith, Timaru. Toast—“ The Timatu Fire Brigade,” proposed by Superintendent Whiteford. Song—Mr Rutherford. Captain Amos responded to the last toast. The new Brigade had had a good deal of work directly they wore

organised, and, considering the lack of ( water and deficient appliances, be I believed they gave a good account of themselves. There appeared little chance of their being able to distinguish themselves now, for unless the policeman slept, or the watchman was absent, a ; fire had little chance within a quarter of a mile of the engine house. The first dash of water from the main so staggered a growing fire that it never recovered itself. They had had a couple of night fires in one building since the water was laid on, but so effective was the supply that before they knew where they were they were working in the dark. He trusted the Brigade could always remain an efficient and popular body. A good Brigade deserved to be popular, for a fireman’s position as a volunteer should bo recognised. He was always at hand and thought nothing of encountering inconvenience, and his brief campaigns, when they did happen, were often hard and trying,ones. Superintendent Blackwell, Kaiapoi, proposed “The Health of the Insurance Companies,” coupled with the names of the two agents present. The insurance companies were much abused bodies, and really deserved some sympathy, for them were hard hit very often. Bitter remarks were made about them by Fire Brigades ; but these were not meant to hurt, but simply as a little tonic, . Messrs Rutherford and Wildie responded, both expressing the: indebted ness of insurance companies to the Brigades, and theif desire to render them every possible assistance and encouragement. ' • Song—Lieut. Dolman, Ashburton. Other toasts, plentifully interspersed with songs, followed— I “The Honorary Surgeon,” “ The Ladies,” “ The Press," and Absent Firemen.”

Captain Murphy, Dunedin, then proposed the health of the Secretary to the Association, Mr Robertson, in a short but highly complimentary speech, supple-, mented by Captain Amos, who spoke of Mr Robertson as a comrade of 20 years ago, when , the first Fire Brigade was organised in Dunedin, and endorsed all that had been said in praise of his zeal and efficiency. Captain Hamersiey then proposed the; health of Captain Amos, of whom he spoke, from his own as possessed of coolness, courage, and tact, qualities essential in a good fireman, or in anyone who, like a fireman, was called upon to cope with difficulties at a moment’s notice—without time for consideration of ways and means. He trusted that the Brigades would aim at a high standard of efficiency, for nearly every day one or other of them was called upon to deal with a, fire, and they must remember that they were exposed to the glare, so to speak, of public opinion, and any shortcoming was noticed by hundreds of critical eyes. The toast was drunk with Highland honors, and Captain Amos returned thanks.

The toast “The Caterer, Mr Madden,” concluded the formal list, but several other toasts were proposed, and the company did not separate till a late hour, after spending a most enjoyable evening.

THIS DAY. The Conference re-assembled at ten o’clock this morning. The roll having been called and minutes read the following business was transacted: — SICK AND ACCIDENT FUND. A paper by Superintendent Whiteford gave rise to a long discussion upon this subject. The writer proposed that, each Brigade should contribute 7s 6d per member per annum. Delegates from the different Brigades gave a brief account of the system adopted by each in dealing with cases of accidents and sickness arising through' attendance at fires, the systems showing a good deal of diversity. In many, cases, each member contributed Is per month to a special fund, which was supplemented by donn tions and honorary members', subscrip, tions. Statements ofthe number of cases requiring financial assistance that had. occurred during several years past,; and of the amounts paid to the-suffers-showed a gratifying degree of freedom from accidents and from demands upon the funds. In the most serious cases the public of th* Reality "had always subscribed liberally to the relief of the sufferers. ,The. .amounts paid out of Brigades’ 6\vn Sick and Accident Funds during a period of twelve or fourteen years had averaged £3414s per annum, something like Is a year for each member of all the Brigades in the colony. A long discussion took place; most of the speakers taking adverse views of the proposal. Members suffering from serious accidents at fires would always receive fair consideration af the hands of the public, and, accumulated funds were always found troublesome to manage. One speaker thought a general fund would assist the smaller Brigades, which was one of the chief objects of the Association, but it was pointed out on the other hand that the greater number of accidents must occurr among the more frequent and larger fires, among the higher and closely packed buildings of iheilarge towns, so that in reality the smaller Brigades would be taxed to assist the larger. It was finally resolved, three only dissenting, that while thanking the writer for his interesting paper, the Conference • deemed it inadvisable to form a general sick and accident fund.

BUI.ES. The, xales as revised by the Committee were brought up for consideration. _ On the rule stating the object of the Association coming up, the President explained, in answer to a question, that the words “to encourage the formation of Fire Brigades” meant that the Association should assist by giving advice and counsel on all subjects connected with the Brigades, organisation; plant, water supply, &c. Fireman Smith, Dunedin, moved that the rule requiring an annual Conference be rescinded and one substituted giving the executive officers power to call a Conference if they deemed it advisable. The attendance at the Conference was a source of considerable expense and -it took firemen a way, from their spheres of labor. The motion to amend the rule was seconded, and then several delegates spoke in opposition to it, urging that if a Conference was of any value at all it should be held once a year.

The, motion on being put was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it, and the rule now requires a meeting of Conference on the third Wednesday in January in each year. certificates and medals. '

A rule was passed that members serving three years be given formal certificates to that effect, and a silver medal for five years’ service, with a bar for each additional two years. The old rule gave a gold medal for seven years service, but the : expense of these precluded their being largely used, and therefore it was deemed advisable to strike out the clause relating thereto. ’ One rule requires that all deeds of valor at fires should be recognised by the granting of the Association’s silvei Maltese cross, on the production of

sufficient evidence that the recognition was deserved. - It was resolved that the Executive should procure specimens of certificates of membership, and selecting one. obtain a sufficient number for distribution at the earliest possible moment. MISCELLANEOUS. It was resolved to authorise the Secretary to issue forms to the various Brigades for annual returns of the number and nature of fires occuring in their .respective districts. "A. suggestion was made and generally approved that the various Brigades should adopt. a common uni form. A discussion took place upon the most suitable color, some speaking in favor.of scarlet as affording members an excellent means of distinguishing each other in a crowd, or in a bad light ; others preferred blue as more serviceable and not showing wear and tear so readily as scarlet. The Preai dent stated that all American firemen, who formerly wore scarlet, had now discarded that color in favor of blue. A suggestion from a Dunedin dele gate respecting a general demonstration of Fire Brigades either at Dunedin or elsewhere, did not meet with approval, tho President pointing out that large gatherings of firemen implied a weakening of the force for securing safety from fire at many places, and wore therefore not desirable. - ' ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The electiort of officers for the ensuing year wnsi then jiroceeded with and resulted, as follows: —President, Superintendent Whiteford, .Wellington, late Vice President ; Vice Presidents, Superintendent Lightfoot, Nelson, (re elected) and Captain Murphy, Dunedin ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Eobertsoa, (re-elected). REWARD OF VALOR, , It was: arranged that .the silver'medal for valor should be presented to Fireman Robb by the delegates visiting Dunedin on Thursday evening. NEXT : MEETING.' • : ' Communications were received from Christchurch and Napier, inviting the Association to hold their next Conference at those places. • It was decided to hold it at Napier. CONCLUSION. An honorarium of £2O was voted to the Secretary and Treasurer for his valuable services during the past year, apd votes of thanks wore passed to. the Tiraaru Fire Brigade for the reception accorded the delegates ; to the Borough Council for the use, of the,Council. Chamber; and to the Government for the use of free passes. • • : The Conference was then closed; at about 1.30 p.m.