FIRE BRIGADES.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 March 1920, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADES.

THE DOMINION CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hastings, Monday. The United Fire Brigades' Conference was continued to-day. Several remits were adopted, including the following:— That with a view of the United Fire Brigades Association resuming demonstrations the Government be asked for a substantial increase in subsidy. It was decided the amount should be £IOOO. That the U.F.B. approach the Fire Underwriters' Council with a view to obtaining an annual subsidy of £3OO. That the conference consider the question of a superannuation, scheme for members of the Association and that a committee be set up to deal with the matter and report to the ne.vt conference. There were various lengthy discussions. An address was given by Inspector Hugo. The conference sits again to-morrow.

FIREMEN'S FINE WAR RECORD. Hastings. Last Night. The forty-first annual conference of the United Fire Brigades Association opened at Hastings to-da<, .Siiperiuiendent Keith unhiding over an attendance of 140 delegates fvom the Bluff to the >iorth Cape. The proceedings opened by Mr. George Ebb.etit, the Mayor, and Mr. H. Al. Campbell. M.P_, extendin" the visitors a cordial welcome to the town. The annual report stated the amount of assets over liabilities is £470, us against £341 last year, and in addition to ten presented at the last conference gold stars had been presented during ■he year to A. F. Spooner (Patea), C. R. Surman (Mt. Eden), E. J. Little (Palmerston North), C. S_ Rush (Palmerston North), W. S. Hart (Petonej. •L K. Crossan (Stratford), W. Rowson (Stratford), and W. J, Gilbert (Napier). Two are to be presented this conference to J. Smith f Onnnevirke) end C W. Braggins- This makes a total' of twenty presented during the twelve months—a record number. The following extract from the report shows that the fire brigadesmen responded nobly during the war. It states: "It is very gratifying for the executive to place on record the noble response made by members of the lire service throughout the Dominion in the late national crisis, the number enrolled for all services being IC7G, out of a roll number less than 3000. The fact that over one half of our members have responded to the Empire's call should arouse a spirit of enthusiasm in the hearts of all. We deeply regret to state that 237 of our comrades have made the supreme sacrifice. 523 having been wounded and invalided, and 5 were prisoners of war Your executive sincerely hope that our sick and wounded comrades have now.been restored to health and their homes, but regret that owing to some brigades having neglected to supply the secretary with the required information a complete list cannot be compiled. In addition to the printed list two more of our comrades gained the Military Medal —E. Mcf.achlan (Gisborne) and A- Corbett (Rotorua). This makes the number of military medals gained by members 43." The conference sits to-morrow morning and Wednesdav morning. To-mor-row afternoon the Mayoress entertains the delegates nt afternoon tea. and on Wednesday afternoon the visiting delegates will be motored through the surrounding district.