VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Shannon News, 19 August 1927, Page 2

VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

A meeting of members of the newly formed Shannon Volunteer Fire Brigade was held in the Council Chambers last evening for the purpo.se of electing their officers and placing the Brigade on a working basis. Mr Jas. Curran, -jun., presided over a good attendance. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: — Superintendent, Mr Jas. Curran, jun.; lieutenant, Mr J. T. Bovis; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. V. Burns; branchmen, Messrs R. Downes and Hill; assistant branchmen, Messrs F. King and Holdsworth; hydrant men, Mesars T. King and H. Hook; reel men, Messrs 11. Curran and F. Murray; fire police, Messrs T C. Thwaites and H. Hudson. FINANCE. Mr Bovis, replying to Mr Burns as to whether the Borough Council intended to subsidise the Brigade from year to year, said the Council had placed £Bo* on the estimates this year to purchase equipment, but this had been exceeded by £lO and there were still a few purchases to be made. This gear would be vested in the Brigade. Further subsidies would be a matter for future Councils to decide. ■• Mr Curran said he did not think they 1 would have any trouble as regards finI ance. As time went, on there would be ■honorary members, donations, etc., and if they required funds he did not doubt that the general public and the Council would help them. Messrs Curran and Bovis were appointed to canvass the town for honor i arv members. I * GENERAL.

The Chairman reported that the geai was to hand.' The tower for the bell would be erected in the course of a day or two, also a place for drying the hose.

It was decided to write to the Borough Council asking if the equipment was vested in the brigade and if they wished representation on the committee.

Mr Bovis stated that he had arranged with Mr Jones, the postmaster, for those firemen who were connected with the phone to have their instrument*: plugged in during the hours when the telephone exchange is closed. A request is to be made to the Borogh Council for the use of the Council Chambers for meetings free of charge. The chairman reported that a try-oui had been made with the reel and hose. First a 200 feet length was tried and a splendid pressure of water obtained. Afterwards another 200 feet was added, the pressure going over 60 feet in the air: With the pressure available hi had no doubt they could work on a lead of (500 feet. The pressure was quite good to fight any fire that came within a radius of 500 feet of hose. In the main streets they could use two leads. The question of insuring firemen is to L;c gone into later. In the meantime a motion was carried, "That any volunteer who joins the Shannon Volunteer Fire Brigade does so at his own risk and without any liability against the Brigade." it was decided to hold practices on Monday and Weduesday evenings of next week.

* After a number of minor matters had been dealt with, the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.