NEW PLYMOUTH FIRE BRIGADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 267, 21 April 1915, Page 8

NEW PLYMOUTH FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Ply. mouth Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the Central Fire Brigade Station last night, when Superintendent F. C. J. Bellringer presided over a good attcndane of members, only one member being absent. SUPERINTENDENT'S REVIEW. The chairman, in his address, referred to the exceptional freedom of the town from fire, and also to the line .feeling that existed between the firemen and their officers, not one single inquiry into the conduct or demeanor of the men having been necessary during the year. He considered that the town was "particularly fortunate in possessing such a fine body of men, who kept themselves in such a high state of efficiency by close attention to the many necessary duties. He alluded to the "good old days," before the brigade moved from its shed to the present station, and went on to remark that this was the last time the annual meeting would be "held there, as the Fire Board had provided a very fine building in Liardct Street in which to house the brigade and its plant. This new building would be occupied in three weeks' time. With the additional plant now under order from London, in the shape of the Dennis Gunn motor, the brigade would be better equipped to deal with fires occurrinjr in the suburbs. The ■present l'ord chassis, which had been converted •into a fire tender, had, he said, proved its value, having exceeded anything anticipated, and having more than repaid itself during the short time that it had been in use. He also referred to the fine spirit displayed by the men in donating so liberallv to the Patriotic Fund in cash, and also by purchasing a very fine horse, which was doing good service at the front. The finances were healthy, and, although the donations had been small, yet the fine receipts from the ball enabled the brigade at present a credit balance. He referred to the faithful service performed by the custodians of the Central and East Stations. The plant was kept in first-class condition, the motor being a credit to Custodian Doughty.

THE FINANCES. The balance-sheet showed the principal receipts to have been:—Proceeds of ball, £BO 7s 3d; donations, £3 8s; and the principal items of expenditure: Donation iPatriotic Fund, £SO; horse, £2O; and teams and delegates' expense! to Timaru, £3l 10s. The brigade had a credit balance of £6O 19s 3d. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. With the exception of superintendent, whose term of office does not expire till next year, the officers were re-elected, the list being as follows:—Superintendent, Mr. JVC. J. Bellringer; sub-super-intendent, Mr. A. Boon; foremen: Central, Foreman Ford; West, Foreman Johnson; East, Foreman Clarke; secretary, Mr. H. Ford; treasurer, Superintendent F. C. J. Bellringer; executive, Firemen W. Saddler and W. Roch and the officers; auditors, Custodian Doughty and Fireman Way. The chairman remarked that it was pleasant to note that all the officers had been re-elected, showing that they possessed the confidence of their fellow-members. THE ROLL CALL . The chairman stated that the roll call was very creditable, no less than four members having attended on each of the thirty-seven occasions that roll was called—namely, Foremen Clark and Ford, Custodian Lambert and Fireman Roberts. The others were present as follow:—Superintendent Bellringer, Custodian Doughty, Firemen Roberts and Green 30, Fireman Allan 35, Firemen Lye and Roch 84, Firemen Saddler and Knowlea 33, Lieutenant Boon, foreman Johnson, Firemen Inch and Way 32, Firemen Partington, Courtenay and Malam 1, Fireman Moon 30, and Fireman Prior 24. GENERAL. Tiie secretary was granted the usual bonus. The superintendent notified that the Coronation Hall had been secured for the annual ball, which is to be held on June 3.