FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 42, 26 February 1901, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

[PKK PRI-JSS ASSOCIATION.] Ounis'jMiiuKCU, February 25. Tho Firo Brigades' Conference opened to-day. There is a large attendance of delegates. Tlie balancash»ot shows a credit, of .£729. Tho delegates to Paris presented an exhaustive report, recommending certain improvements for the efficiency of the Brigade; particular reference being made to an increased number of chemical engines and an improvement in tho appliances for reaching fires rapidly. Lateii. The twenty-second annual Conference of the Uaited Fire Brigadfs opoued this morning when over siity delegates worn present. Superintendent Tiogey (Palmarston North) preadod. The executive repotted that the Archhill Brigade (Auckland) h*d joined and the Fihiatua B:igade h«d again affiliated. Theas3ets were £238 10s 2.1 as compared with £lB7 13s 2d last year. They raMmm/iidod that -Mrcmcn on duty in Han'h Africa should iwoivc full credit for attendance in thou lvspreiivo brigades while on :■ i'.ivo militaiy duty. Tho Accident Soc'ety in connection with the Association baa now rlose on 1000 members. Chains paid during the venr '.mounted to ,-£'>2 15s and the Society had a credit balance of .£72!) 18->Bd. Tho ivporc of'Mipt'riutondont Gilberd (Napier) and Superintendent Smith (Ohristchurch) on thfir visit to the Paris Congre-fB was reid, and it was resolved to ask the Government to print and circulate it. On the motion of Secretary Robbins (Hawera), it was resolved to arr.'.rgi for holding a largo exhibition of up-to-date fire appliances a yew hence, and a committee is to ho wet up to draft ascheme to he .'aid before the present Cocforojice; Motions dealing with m.singers' ser- • vicoc, striking a small gold servicn medal, fivo-yosr service medal hy firo p"lice and snlv.ige corps, and regulating , the rank or title of chief ollicors of brigade:', were lost. Kulo 1 of competition conditions was alto'' )d to ill.-■'■ a competitor who has !:••] to -.'i; ; -.S.siii through >.c- \ ciil:iiit i>r i':!--. 0r... usiiius ><i;< y •sitiion i.-i hii '■• ,-li:) Winn R l ''-' 'o do -o ■■ T,i\ > ■ j.jl-.s to bu at libe-'t', to t.-m:i.d a I A motiiMJ that tin.'■ jhaisa iu )[\<) u , ,'< >f co.rtjjefcitioii coiiditiobM, rjforriug 'M i loots be siruok oat, thai. , ::

Captain Pickering (MastertonJmoYod! that on all firemen belonging to thfc association a levy of lsiTyßst be made,, to bo devoted to a demonstration prize' fund. He fa'd it would specially bo* tie lit small brigades which had not m. large population to fall back on for funds, Lieutenant Martin (Napitr)t contended that by bringing the. members of larger brigades to the door.* of brigades in smill towns tho, ass iciiti'.n would be carrying out its proper function. Captain Michel' (Hokitika) moved as an amendment, that the ruhs be altered so that tb« annual -aubscriptfen be 50s instead of 30s, and that £1 be placed to a competition account, the turn in it to b« available for subsidising competition!, Tbe words "For aabsidiiing prim money £ for £ given by committor*. for com petit iocs under tbe auapioM of; the Association" were added to tho amendment and it was carried. It was decided that in future all oxprem'dents bo invited to tho annual meetings. Gilbsrd handed tka Presided* tho b»dge of the Inter* national Atswiution of Fire Eogineart which that body »* > te conference at Chuhston, South Oa'wl'na, bad decided to piesont to the New Zealand, Preaident.