TARANAKI FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 57, 12 February 1916, Page 3

TARANAKI FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE, j The Ith annual conference of the] Taranaki District United Fire Bri-j gades' Association was held in the' Fire Station, Stratford, last evening, j Captain \V. Griffiths (Fitzroy) president, occupied the chair, and there were present: Supt. H. A. Xuttal (Eltham) vice-president, Lieut. A. Boon (New Plymouth) vice-president, Capt. T. (!. Grubb (Stratford) past president, Deputy-Snpt. .1. Champion (Hawe.j.a) secretary. Fireman Spurdle (Wai-I tarn-), Foreman E. A. Drake (StratJ ford), Capt. W. F. Ward (Kaponga),"j Lieut. Aroa (Fitzroy), Sec. C. Kelly (Hawer'a), Lieut. McLaggan (higlewood), and Captain Grubb (proxy, Patea). Capt. Cruhh read an apology for absence from Capt. Gleny (Patea). The President, in opening the Conference, said there was not a great deal of business to transact. Owing to the war the demonstration which was to have been held in Stratford this year was postponed for the time being. He hoped the war would soon terminate, then they could hold the demonstration at Stratford, and have the men at present at camp and at (he front participating. Captain Grubb briefly introduced His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Davey and Lawson (the Council Fire Committee). The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Stratford, extended a hearty welcome to the delegates. He said, owing to the fire in the municipal buildings, the Council had to commandeer about one-third of the brigade hall, and so they had to work in a. limited space. He said it was rather disappointing not holding the demonstration at Stratford this year, as the Council had gone to the expense of about £BO in putting water on in the Park. The brigade members had constructed a. good track, in conclusion, Mr Boon said that a well-equipped' brigade was a great asset to a town. i EXECUTIVE'S REPORT. The. Executive's report wa s as follows: Since last year's conference at j Kaponga, in the great war the nation , i.s waging in the international struggle for freedom, many of our brave comrades have fought, bled and dred, and have commendation at equal to any other section of the brave lads of the Empire, who have patriotically responded to the call for King and Country. Thirty-nine members of our brigades have gonelto the tront with various reinforcements, and the names of several brave men are inscribed on the roll of honor as having given up their lives and the l»est of their health and strength. To those who have been bereaved we offer axir sincere and deepest sympathy, at the same time feeling proud of the honor our brave boys have conferred on the fine service of the Dominion, and we trust that those who have been wounded and sick, and ore being so kindly nursed and so nobly treated in the dear Old Land, will soon he restored to health and strength, .so as to be able to return to their Brigades and their beloved ones at home. Owing to some of the Brigade's having notified the secretary of the Association that they thought the demonstration ought to be held over during he war, the secretary conferred with the Executive, and it was decided to take a vote of the Brigades on the matter, with the result that seven brigades voted against the demonstration being held, and two in favor, and one brigade did not. vote. The members of the Stratford Brigade have asked to have the first refusal for the next demonstration. In accordance with the resolution passed at the last conference. Hie treasurer lias opened an account in the Bank of Australasia, Hawera. Last September, the members of the Conville Fire "Brigade (Wanganui) made an application to be affiliated to the Association. Owing to the brigade being out of the Taranaki district, the secretary though 1 it advisable to lay the application before tho. brigades. The conference would li ( . asked to decide the request of the Conville Brigade. The balancesheet shows the finances of the Association to be in a healthy condition. There are no liabilities to meet, there being an amount of El 5 I2r Gil to our credit at the bank. We desire to extend to the officers and mem'.ers of ll„> various brigades our heartiest thanks for their kindly help given to l!i,. secretary an.l treasurer during the past year. ' We trust that the new year iipnn which we have entered will brio-' peace, prosperity, and goodwill to t'.ll men. The Chairman, in movim/ the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, „..,;,! ibe Association was in a very said the Association was in a iery healthy condition at present. Foreman Drake seconded the motion.

Captain Ward congratulated the ! secretary on the excellent way in ' which be kept the books. The report and balance-sheet wire adopted. Superintendent Xuttall congratulated the Association on its financial condition, and said his brigade could not support the holding of a demonstration while many of its members wove away fighting for freedom. Two of the members of his brigade had been killed and there were a number still at the front. THE CONVILLE BRICADE. The Secretary of the Conville Fire Brigade wrote as follows; Acting under instructions from my brigade, f beg to make a request for the' Conville Brigade to join your Association. No doubt you will think it strange for us to want to ioin you people, but the fact is. the Wanganni Brigade and ours are not the best of friends, far from it, and they have made things so verv hot in several ways that we at lpst decided to pull-out of the "Bush Districts Association." We are only a small suburban brigade, willing and good snorts, and none of win tie, or wrangle business, but who desire to meet others of like nature and exchange ideas, measure, strides, and make, friendships. T do not expect your Committee meet very often, so in the near future, you might let me have any information you may have as to fees, future intentions as to any gatherings,* demonstrations, etc., so that I may P'lt things before my brigade. [superintendent Xuttall said the Elthani Brigade had passed a notice ol motion requesting the conference u» refuse the application of the Conville Brigade to join the Association. As Conville was oittside the Taranaki district, he did not think it *ouhj join unless by a unanimous vote of the conference. Lieutenant Boon seconded the motion put in by the Flthani Brigade. Captain Grubb said there was nothing in the. rules to say that a brigade outside the district could not join; tile Association. He could not see what harm there was in the Conville Brigade joining the Association, unless it was because it was outside the district. Lieutenant Boon said the more brigades they bad in the association the better it woulu be. Captain Grubb said he did not see why they could not .form a West Coast Association and then they could take in Aromoho, Conville, and Fast Fnd. On the motion being put, it was earned by five votes to four. Captain Grubb moved: That, the secretary write to the Hawke's Bay Association and ascertain if there is any reason why the Taranaki Association should not admit the Conville Brigade, the secretary to put reply before the'executive-Seconded by Foreman Drake. Captain Ward asked whether itwould not be advisable I" forward the motion to the (ionville Brigade. The motion was carried. i MOTION OF SYMPATHY. The Chairman moved that the secretary forward a letter of sympathy to the relatives of the men who had Fallon at the front.-Seconded by Captain Ward, and carried, all present standing. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Superintendent Xuttall Lieutenant Boon (New Plymouth) and Lieutenant Aroa (Fitzroy); secretary and treasurer, Deputy-Superintendent Champion ' (Hawera); auditors, Captain Ward (Kaponga) and Secretary Kelly (Hawera). THE NEXT CONFERENCE. The Patea Brigade wrote inviting the delegates to hold the next conference at Patea. Superintendent Xuttall said the conference should be held at the same place as the demonstration. As Stratford had gone to such an expense they should have the next demonstration. Deputy-Superintendent . Champion said ill the event of the war not being jover they coulit then "hold the conference at Patea. ' It was resolved that in the event of ithe war not being over by November !;{(), nnd no demonstration being .held, that the conference be held at Patea, am | if the war is over by that date, to bold the conference and demonstration at Stratford. Captain Grubb asked in the event lof the war lasting two, three, or Four years, would any demonstration be held. The Chairman said that as time went on, the matter of holding a demonstration would be made harder. Captain Grubb said at the present time, the different brigades had to have younger, nien in their ranks, and demonstrations brought the men out.

CENERAL. Fireman Spurdlo said <hem _ had been some discussion in the Waitara Brigade of lace as to il a i»u missed throe practices would lie be counted out. The Chairman said it depended mainly on the brigade's rules. Culler Fitzrov rules, if a member did not send in an apology he would he counted out. THE SHIELD. Lieutenant Aroa said he had been requested to ask the Conference il his brigade, as holders of the shiled, should retain it this year. ■ It was decided that the present holders-of the shield retain same until won bv another brigade. VOTE OF THANKS. A vote of thanks to the outgoing officers \va s passed by acclamation. THE BANQUET.

After the conference the dele.ga.tes and visiting Firemen adjourned to lii- J Medina Tea Rooms, were :>" excellent supper-had been prepared. The president, Superintendent Nuttall, occupied the chair. The following toast list was honored'—"The'King," proposed by the chairman; "The President," Captain Griffiths; "Taranaki Fire Brigades' Association," Lieutenant Boon am

Deputy-Superintendent Champion ; "The Borough Council," Captain Gmbb and the Mayor (Mr Boon), Crs Lawson and Davey ; "The Stratford Fire Brigade," The Chairman and Captain Ornbb, "The Boys at the Front," Lieutenant Aroa and Captain Ward; "Visiting Firemen," Foreman Drake and Secretary Kelly; " Tm ° Ladies," Foreman Hurley and Firman Pearce; "The Past President,"

Deputy-Superintendent Champion ; "The Press," the Chairman, and Mr R, Berryman ("Stratford Evening Post") and Mr S. Ward ("Daily News'").

Musical items were contributed by Secretary Kelly, Firemen Crofts, Horn and Bradley.

Cheers for the Hostess concluded the banquet.