TARANAKI FIRE BRIGADES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 26, 1 February 1915, Page 2

TARANAKI FIRE BRIGADES

DISTRICT CONFERENCE. Tlie United Taranaki District Firo Brigades’ Association held its annual conference at Kaponga on Friday evening, when there were present, the President, Captain T. G. Grubb (Stratford), presiding; vice-president, Captain W. H. Griffiths (Fitzroy); Superintendent H. A. Xuttnll (Eltham); Fireman inns (Manaia), Lieutenant Aroa (Fitzroy), Captain Caladwell (Inglewood), Second-Foreman H. A. Hurley (Hawera), Lieutenant A. Boon (Xew Plymouth), Superintendent W. F. Ward (Kaponga), Deputy-Superin-tendent J. Champion, secretary and treasurer (Hawera). The chairman welcomed the delegates. t

The annual report was read as follows:—“In presenting the annual report, it gives me great pleasure to state that we have every reason to congratulate ourselves on the progress we have made and maintained. Another year has passed, since we gathered around this table in conference. Many disasters have occurred, both by fire and water. Another disaster—the greatest of all—being that dreadful monster, war. Members of the fire service throughout the Dominion have, as usual, shown their quality wKen the call of duty came their way. The call for active service has found firemen amongst the first to volunteer, and not only throughout the Taranaki province, but from the whole Dominion, many of the best men of the brigades have nobly responded to that call. This is the proud note, and it goes without saying that every man can be relied upon to uphold the honor of his country and the fire service when ho reaches the front. We trust that they may all be spared to return to their respective homes and brigades covered with honor and glory. Out of five brigades thirteen members were accepted for the Expeditionary Force, as follows:—Stratord (6): Foreman Evans, Fireman Milner, Gorton, Dewar. Yoyle, and Kennedy, Hawera: Firemen Rauch, West and Ure. Inglewood: Firemen Harris and Duffill. Patea : ifireman Fitzwater. Eltham : Fireman Hastedt. Probably others have gone whose names have not been sent to me. If such is the case I would like delegates to bring the matter before their brigades, and send me the names, so as to have a record of same. I am pleased to state that the finances of the Association are in a healthy condition, there being practically no liabilities and a fine credit balance to carry forward, which is now in the hands of the treasurer. Now that the credit balance has reached such an amount, I would suggest to the conference the question of opening up an account in the bank. I have refrained from doing so, as the funds would not stand paying out 10s for keeping the account. On behalf of the executive, I desire to mention their appreciation of the manner in which the officers and members of the Waitara brigade, also the Citizens’ Committee, who entertained the visiting brigades at the last conferencejand demonstration held in their town.” The financial statement was as follows : —Receipts : Subscription from ten brigades, £10; special levy, £2 10s; balance from last year, £5 4s. Total, £l7 14s.'/ Expenditure: .Voted to secretary, £2; executive expenses, Waitara, £1 9s 6d; for shield and engraving, £1 Is; typing circulars, 15s (id; secretary’s disbursements, 7s. Total, £5 18s. Cash in hand by treasurer, £l2 Is. Total, £l7 14s. In moving the adoption of the report, the president congratulated the Association on its sound position, and made feeling reference to those members who had joined the colors. He also congratulated the secretary upon the able manner in which he had carried out his duties during the last year. Several other delegates endorsed his remarks. The secretary’s recommendation re opening an account at the bank was adopted. It was resolved that the secretary’s honorarium be £8 3s.

Secretary Champion, on behalf of the Patea Brigade, moved the following motion :—“That the Taranaki Demonstration be always held prior to (the first week in October.” Seconded jby Captain Ward, but lost. Delegates were unanimous that it would be detri- ’ mental to the function, as they considered it too early, as it was only ' during the long evenings that most of

the brigades could get in the necessary practice.

The following motions were withdrawn:—“Ring to be fixed on end of testing spanner; judges to pull by ring only; ring to be not less than 1| inches; that, owing to the Association being in its infancy, and lack of funds, elective officers pay their own expenses.” Captain Caldwell moved as a recommendation : At the meeting of the X.Z.U.F.B.A. to be held in February at Timaru, that a motion be moved, asking the Government, when .planning out new townships, to reserve sites for fix-e brigades.—Left in the hands of the president, all present being in accord with the suggestion. Lieutenant A. J. Davey, on behalf of Stratford Brigade, invited the next demonstration to be held at Stratford. The invitation was accepted. Lieutenant Davey intimated 'that they were holding a carnival, and would include fire brigade events, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to the purchase of a new engine, and he trusted that all brigades present would send a team. ,

The election of officers resulted;— President, Captain Griffiths (Fitzroy); vice-presidents, Captain Nuttall (Eltham), Lieutenant Boon (New Plymouth) ; secretary and treasurer, De-puty-Superintendent J. Champion (Hawera); auditors, Captains Ward (Kaponga) and Caldwell (Inglewood) ; trustees, president and vice-presidents. The retiring president installed the officers, all of whom returned thanks.

\ otes of thanks to the retiring president • find past officer's ’concluded tliC meeting, after which Captain Ward, on behalf of the Kaponga Brigade, invited all delegates present into the supper-room for refreshments, which were very much appreciated. After full justice had been done to the good things, the following toast list was discussed, interspersed with musical items:—“The King” (chairman), “Taranaki Association,” “President and Vice-presidents,” “Visitors,” “Kaponga Fire Brigade,” “Comrades at the Front,” and “The Press.” ' The following gentlemen contributed items: Messrs Horne, Inns, Bradley, Melville Stevens, Des Forges, Hurley, and King. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought one of the most enjoyable evenings ever held in the local hall to a close. Visitors were loud in their praise of the hospitality of the Kaponga Brigade.—News correspondent.