FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 211, 5 March 1912, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADES' ASSOCIATION

FIREMEN IN CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Rotorua, Last Night. The thirty-third annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association is being held here. Yesterday a church parade was held. Business commenced this morning, Mr. Boyes, president, occupying the chair. There were 114 delegates present. The president, in his opening address, paid a tribute to the past president. The fact that nothing worthy of note in fire fighting had arisen during the year showed that they were getting into touch with their work as 1 firemen. He could not help feeling that they owed a debt of gratitude, for the assistance afforded to fire brigades. So long as they stood shoulder high as volunteers for the protection of life and property, they would afford an object lesson to the Labor unions in not seeking a selfish object, but the welfare of their fellows. Twenty-one gold stars were earned last year. A sad feature about the conference was the absence of Mr J. G. Gilberd, the grand builder of the association, and he much regretted that illness prevented his attending. Assets over liabilities had increased from £7BO 12s 8d to £BO9 8s lid. The item on the balance-sheet, "brigade subscriptions in arrears," should not exist. The amount now was double that of the last year. The following had become affiliated with the associated:—Cromwell, Taumarunui, and Invercargill Railway. The Hawera fire police had disbanded. There were 117 brigades now on the roll. The accident insurance branch was in a satisfactory condition, being in credit to the extent of £1723. The balance-sheet showed a balance of £750 8s 3d. The conference carried a remit from Invercargill that the association take steps to secure exemption from compulsory military training 'of all firemen, whether permanent or volunteer. The number, of brigades affiliated was now 117.

The following had gained medals for 25 years' service:—Fireman Cronn (Marton), Captain Wallis (Gore), Secretary Martin (Gore), Captain Pearson (Dunedin), Captain Addison (Thames), Foreman Kenny (Thames), Foreman Fraser (Gisborne), Sub.-Superintendent Wildish (Gisborne.), Captain Bransch (Hastings), Secretary White (Napier), Secretary Higgins (Kaiapoi), Foreman Ross (Hokitika), ex-Superintendent Thompson (Hokitika), Branchman Carter (Sumner), Captain Joodard (Nelson), Treasurer Hounsell (Nelson), Superintendent Winn (Lawrence), Ryan (Greymouth). The accident assurance branch was satisfactory. The revenue was £273 12s 7d and the expenditure £212 2s, leaving a credit balance of £6l 10s 7d. Telegrams of sympathy in his illness were forwarded to ex-President J. G. Gilberdi (Napier) and Superintendent Mitchell (Dunedin). A deputation of citizens waited on the conference, and the resident officer (Mr. W. Hill) formally welcomed the delegates to Rotorua.

Captain Hugo, in his address to the conference, said the Macky, Logan fire at Auckland had .brought up the .Joss by fire risk to the average of the previous five or six years. The question of the expansion of fire as affecting the safety of buildings should be seriously discussed. He emphatically denied the statement made in the "Australian Firemen" that the effect of State Insurance had been an increase in fire waste. The provision in the Act requiring one-third ef the ratepayers to vote on a proposal for the constitution of a fire district required amendment. He approved of the suggestion that school drill should be carried out, but a general scheme should adopted. The danger of all glass verandahs was emphasised. Captain Hugo dwelt on the necessity for the standardisation of appliances'. Brigades should strive after the efficiency attained by Continental brigades, where practical examinations were enforced.