FIRE BRIGADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 47, 19 October 1912, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADE.

ANXFAL mf.etixg. The annual meeting of the Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade was held last evening. Captain Grubb presided over an excellent attendance. Annual Report. The annual report and balancesheet showed that the total receipts for the year had been £203 Fls Bd, including the balance brought forward from last year. £27 17s sd. The amount expended amounted to £lB6 10s sd. thus leaving a net balance of £l6 15s 3d. standing to the Brigade’s credit. There had been but few (ires during the year, and the damage done on each occasion had been slight as compared with previous years. The first of these fires was Mr. F. Rhodes’ cordial factory. The outbreak was mt of a- serious nature, and the brigade put an end to same. The second was Messrs. "Whittington and Krnshaw’s, which had not spread beyond the chimney. The tid'd was Mr. Richter’s cottage. This had a fair hold by the time the Brigade arrived, but was also soon chocked. The total musters for the year had been 36, made up as follows: —Musters 16. fires' 3, practices 13, false alarms 4. The membership of tho brigade at present was 23, including two messengers. The committee had again to congratulate members on the good wm-k done including competitions. All 'practices Fid been well attended. The United Fire Brigades’ annual conference was held at Rotorua, Foreman Wilson representing this brigade. The next, conference and demonstration would he held next March, at Wanganui, at which demonstration the committee hoped the brigade would he represented. During the early part of the > ear the brigade staged a dancing carnival with the view to raising funds to enable Hiom to obtain a motor tiro engine T' i's entertainment was not nearly as well supported by the citizens of -tho town as it should have been, and consequently it did not prove a sufficient financial success to the extent anticipated. Therefore, the brigade regretted its not being in the position to carrv out the object it had in view. The brigade tendered thanks t ) Madame Bernard for a successful benefit at her Picture Palace. The funds derived from this performance were put towards the painting and furnishing of the meeting room, which was now a credit to the brigade. Tlio com-, mittee wished to place on record the : untiring work done by tho ladies in connection with tho annual juvenile ball, which had boon a very en'oyablo ; function, and a success financially, i Some few months since the brigades of Taranaki had formed themselves into j an Association to be known as tby “Taranaki Provincial Fire Brigades’ Association,” which Association was holding its first annual demonstration at New' Plymouth in December next. The committee hoped to be in a position to apply for tho next demonstration to be held in Stratford, and they trusted to be able to see their way clear to fix a plug in.,Victoria Park, and thus put the committee in the position coveted. The brigade had had tho pleasure this year of seeing one of its members decorated with a 25years’ gold service star, presented by tho Uniteef Fire BVigtidcsh Ass<Kiation. r liie brigade’s thanks.huere tendered to the Borough Council for their as! sitance in supplying all the necessary gear to;egabl© they brigade to carry out its:and ■ hffio thA Press, wnich was ever ready to do all in its power to further the interests of the brigade. In conclusion, the committee trusted that the brigade, by c areful management and its member.-,’ assistance, would always maintain the strong position,and good name it now bold. yra.a re «i jwi fnnn t Captain Grubb moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the motion being duly carried. Election of Officers.

Tho election of officers for tlie ensuing year resulted in Captain Gr.ffib being’ elee^etiy 3 amidst'.'onliiusiast'io ap plause, fbr-anbther Terffi *bf office. ]u returning thanks for the honour con forred upon him, Captain Grubb remarked that this was his fifih term of office as captain of tho brigade. He hoped tliat the ensuing year would be as successful as. the past. He assured those present that he would devote all the time ho possibly could to brigade matters. . Foreman Wilson was, after a close ballot, elected Lieutenant, one vote separating him from Lieutenant Rowson,. who had previously held the position. Lieutenant Rowson was then electee! First Foreman. Foreman Burgess was re-elected as Second Foreman. Fireman Drake was elected secrotary, Branchman Boon treasurer. Committee: Firemen Kivell, Davey, and Davies; custodian, Fireman Payton ; auditors, Messrs. C. D. Solo and H. Burmester. A special honorarium of three guineas was voted to the retiring secretary (Fireman Gorton), whoso energe tice and valuable‘services were warmly eulogised.