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Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 88, 16 April 1902, Page 2

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ANNUAL MEETING. Thb annual meeting of tbe Brigadewas held at headquarter* on Tuaedify evening, Captain Bellringer presiding. The balaaoe-sheot showed that the total r o-ipts tor the year amounted to |£259 16s, exclusive of £9O 13* balanoe in hand at the commencement of the I year. The expenditure, which wu mainly on account of building and apparatus, amounted to £271 12s 7<T„ leaving a balance of nearly £BO tocarry forward. Tha election of officerso'hor than the captain, who last year was elected for three years, resulted in the reappointment of tbe sans officer*, namely, Lieu enunt Boon; Central fore • man, J. R >lh.rtn'; East : end foreman, P. Bellringer; Wfgt-end foreman, J. Johnsoa; ladder foreman, J. _ Way : secretary,. K,»Hi ford; iostuiUn, G. Parker.

BiNQUBT. Ac the c inclusion of the basuMStf 'm' e'ing an adjournment was mad* to the Mwunip Hull in Rabe-strtet, whan the annual banqu ;t «u bold, Mr J. Wes', tbe ca'erer, putting on a moat enjoyable and varied colleetion of viands. Captain Bellringer presided, and on his right was his Worship the Mayor, Mr E. Dockrill, Captain Taun- [ ton being on the left of the ch»inn*n. I vAt the conclusion of the repast, tbo chairman proposed tbe toast of " The Kit g," which was honoured with gnat en'hmiaam and by staging a vane o! the National Anthem.

In proposing "The Mayor And Borough Council," the chairman eulogised tho rendered by the M.#yor, who had always to tha front in promoting the inter, stoof the Brigade, The financial support jre* i ceiveii from the Council was also grata* fully acknowledged, and was talun by tha Brigade aa an evidence of the esteem in which its aerrio'S were held. Largely owing to that asiistanoe tbe Brigade bad earned for itself a position second to nope in ; the colony., The chairman then grac»fully referred to the invaluable serrioea rendered to the Brigade by the " Lady Mayoress" i* connection with the last annual ball, whicb bad eclipsed fill pre nous efforts and added" over £6O to the' Brigade'a funds. Tbe toast waa reoeived yitb great acclamation and accorded mu»ieal honours.

The Mayor, in acknowledging lb* compliment, referred to the fad that the reason why the Oounc 1 and the citizens so heartily supported thi Bri;j de was on accoantof its effioienoy, which Was not only by tM public, but by other brigades egainet whom the local brigade competed M successfully, Moreovsr, wh»n the brigade in dealing with fire* in the town showed its skill ard efficiency in the marked way it had, the Council and citizens could not do otherwise than accord it 'a liberal financial support. On behtlf of Mrs Dockrill he warmly, thanked the chairman fur his generous references to service* which it had been a great plraeme to her to wader ti the brigade, but he po'n f ed that the succ.bs of the ball ,w ,|, dfie ia gi< at measure to the ladies who astrtStid la carrying it out. In referring to borough matter* the Mayor pointed out the necessity of the Council ke°ping within its mtans, at the same time he was sure that everything would be done to plaoe the town' in a position. which would favourably comp ire 'with other towns of A «iz', and to kvep p<ce with the time*. In proposing " The fyig&de," the Mayor alluded to the oonfidenoe placed in it by the citizens, who felt they cauld safely go to sleep knowing that if a fire happened the brigade woold be promptly { on the spot and iitihguUh the conflagration. He Also referred to the fact' f i> b'ingn volunteer brigade, the, members of which weie always rsady for duty ai.d worked not only uogradgiagly but with entburiaam. , Captain Bellringer, in r< spoodiog, nlluded to the pride he felt at having the privilege to cotnaund «uch an efficient body of men, who had proved on all occmions when coping with trto *bat they were pmmpt -when called on and« effective in action. It was r cognised by other brigades that th« New Plymouth men were some of the smartest in the ooleny, and he trusted that they would long oominue to enjoy the high reputation they had justly earned and to retain the confidence of the oii'jswjs, , Lieutenant Boon proposed the '• Army and Navy," to whioh Captain Taunton and Lieutenant dock responded. , ;;...Otlwc.towM/Ven:« w OftMi««f the

Bciya<ie,' ! proposed by ex-lieutenant •Oarrington and reapbnded toby Lieuten-

mt Boon, Foreman P. B#llring«r ibl Secretary, |ford ; "The Ltdiee, "Oar floats," and " the Pws«."

» During th* evening the Mayor «*• sented the prizes won in the htwntiip oojnpettfion (.>r one man and bow drill. Tbe first price, a handtooM go'd medal given by MrT. Avtry weol to Lieutenant Boon, while tbe seoond, * silver medal given by Lieutenant Boon fell to Fireman J. Clarke. Fireman Partington was also presented with ft lovg sorvics bar, in recognition of sev«n ye<kis service in the Brigade.

Some excellent vocal and iaatrotarn- | tal .items wtre given, amoogat. whiok were sour* by Mess's Cbitham, MoComish, Moon, and Fireman Smith. A marveilouu peifotmanco on first one aud then two tin whistles by Mr Reede created quit.i a furore of applause. Captain Taunton contributed a nag with banjo accompaniment, and Mr J. Bjunott gav« a vtry humoious patter recitation. Tbe proocudiegs through* were thoroughly ei>joyab!e, and quit# worthy of the (fficier cy of the brigade.