THE INVERCARGILL VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Southland Times, Issue 1205, 4 February 1870, Page 2

THE INVERCARGILL VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

♦ The annual meeting of the members of the above institution was held on the evening of Monday last, the 31st ult., in Mr M'Crostie's Caledonian Hotel. There was a very good attendance, Mr Kingsland (Chief Engineer) occupying the chair. After some formal business had been transacted* the secretary (Me D. JMEacrorie) read the following FINANCIAL AND GENERAL REPORT— The amount of money received during the year, including a sum for this year from the Victoria Insurance Company, is ... £58 6 6 The expenditure 52 19 9 Leaving a balance in the Bank of New Zealand of £5 6 9 The existing liabilities are — Due to engine-keeper £27 8 8 „ Secretary 710 0 £34 18 8 But the Government being in debt f 6 the Brigade ...£SO 0 0 Together with the balance in the Bank 5 6 9 £55 6 9 There is a surplus of assets over liabilities of ... £20 8 1 During the year the engine-house has been painted and put in. repair ; the hose has been sent to Dunedin, and there placed in . working order ; the engines have been overhauled ; the wells throughout the town looked to, and one sunk at the engine-house and pump erected thereon — in fact, as far as means would allow, the efficiency of the Brigade has been attended to. The experiment adopted of paying those who attended practices has answered very well, and given the officers an opportunity of working the engines, which they could not have had under the voluntary system. Mnancially, the Brieade has not been well supported, excepting by the Insurance Offices ; and as some frequent practices are just at present required, it is necessary if the Brigade is to be kept up as an institution, that the public should contribute funds to sustain its efficiency. If this is not done, the officers are desirous that it should be distinctly understood that they will not be responsible for want of knowledge of drill on the part of members, should, unfortunately, their active service be required. Last year the town was only partially canvassed ; and even on the list, furnished by the exertions of Messrs Russell and Nutter, two of those placing their names as subscribers eventually declined to contribute. Subscriptions could, no doubt, have been obtained from several banks, merchants, and other holders of property during last year, had due solicitation been made, and your officers recommend exertion being made to enlarge the income of 1870. The members of the Brigade may be safely congratulated on having mustered with promptitude on every occasion the alarm bell sounded. After some remarks from the chairman, complaining of the small amount of support which the public extended to the Brigade, and recommending that the contributions should be more general, the report was adopted. Messrs H. T. Boss, Matheson, Eussell, Nutter, and M'Crostie were then appointed to canvass the town for subscriptions, after which the officers were re-elected, Messrs Wotton and Brown being appointed auditors, and the business of the meeting was brought to a close.