The Fire Brigades

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 216, 12 March 1914, Page 5

The Fire Brigades

NEW LEUI4SLATION FORECASTED. THE J.IMS!EIi AT AKAROA. By Telegraph -Press Association. Akaroa, Last Night. I lie >llO Brigade Conference concluded to-day, when the followin officers were elected: President, lleouty Superintendent; J, J, \S:tlnion (IXliedin) ; wee-presidents, Captain Campbell (Timaru) secretary, E. C. Scantlebury (ReefIon); treasurer, Secretary O. A. Osborne (Onehungu); secretary. Captain T. J. Watts (Newmarket), re-tlejtcd (or thr-. years; auditor, P. R. Franc.- (Auckland). This afternoon the Hon. Bell and H n. Rhodes, member for the district, id- ' dressed the conference. Replying to renresentations n&it, Hon. Bell said ho would have to submit to Cabinet the proposal to make Territorial drill count for fire briifade parades when the two duties clashed. The matter had already been settled by the former Cabinet and could only btf re-ep-ened by Cabinet. He intended next session to introduce an amendment allowing contiguous bodies to form themselves into a combined Are area. Legislation would also be introduced exempting from liability acts v done by fir# boards and brigades in the protection of property or to check fire spreading. Regarding the matter of imposing an annual charge for the annual inspection of electrical installation, it, would aot U fair to make such a charge where the installation was perfect. He proposed to give lire boards an offcial status at fire inquests. - ' The Minister congratulated the conference on tho advanced methods of their competitions, which put New Zealand brigades on a level with* those of other countries. Hon. R. IT. Rhode! said the interest* of fire brigades were thoroughly safe in Mr. Bell's hands. A heart i'ote of thanks was accorded to b'oth Ministers. The' following members who had completed 25 years' service were presented with gold stars: Lieutenant F. Fishe" (Grevtown), Fireman J. J. Braggta** (Greytown), Secretary J. G. Walton ifirevmouth), Fireman L. Labroom (Spit), Captain T. Barber (Ashburton). Foreman A. Thomson. (Gisborne), Fireman W. J. Ford (Ranglora). Setrelarf, G. A. Hilton (Tunaru), and Captala W. 11. Butler (Eden Terrace)