FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 322, 23 February 1910, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Napier, Last Night. A deputation from the Fire Brigades Conference waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs, with reference io the new Jaw regarding military, training which it was urged would be likely to seriously affect certain fire brigades, especially those in country places whi-.'h were mostly made up ox men from 18 to -n years oi age. It was requested that members of brigades under certain circumstances should be exempted from the provisions of the Defence Act. The Hon. W. Buddo, in the course of a sympathetic reply, said that much had to be thought out before the Defence Bill was brought into operation. He would lay the matter before the Minister «f Defence.

The President of the Conference harded to Vice-president Spriggins a gold star medal for Fireman Beauchamp, of the Wanganui brigade, in recognition of twenty-five years' service. It was agreed that in future only second-class travelling passes for demonstrations and conferences be issued, irrespective of rank. / The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr. J. G. Gilberd (Napier); vicepresidents, Messrs E. Boyes (Nelaan) and A. Lever (Westport); treasurer , Mr. E. Spriggins (Wanganui), re-electgd; secretary, Mr. T. J. Watts (Newmarket). < Several delegates spoke in high terms of praise of the lire board evstem of control, and it was unanimously resolved—"That it be an instruction to the incoming executive to take steps whereby the 'working of the Fire Brigades Act may be made better known, with a view of getting districts to see the advantages gained by working under a fire board." Votes of thanks were passed to the Government for railway passes and subsidies. It was resolved that an illuminated address be presented to Mr. ,1. G. Gilberd on the occasion of his retiring from the position of secretary after holding it for nearly twenty-Jive years. Superintendent W. Lucas (Spit*), the retiring president, was presented with a | certificate of life honorary membership. This concluded the business of the Conference. ACCIDENT INSURANCE. The meeting of the Fire Brigades Accident Assurance Society was resumed ! to-day. The annual report was adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President. Capt. Eagle ton (Napier); vice-president*, Supt. Btf'ivinger and Capt. Hansen (\V"stport); treasurer, Secretary Seantleimry (lio-'f-ton): secretary, \ft. J. G. Gilberd (Napier) re-elected; auditors. Mes«rs ■!. \V. .Findlny and W. Tlodgeson.