THE FIRE FIGHTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1921, Page 7

THE FIRE FIGHTERS.

TARANAKI BRIGADES CONFER. MEETING AT INGLEWOOD. YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED. The annual conference of the Taranaki United Fire Brigades’ Association ■ was. held in the Inglewood Borough Coun- ■ oil Chambers on Thursday night. Cap-. tain Ward (Kaponga), president of the i Association, occupied the chair, and the; following delegates were present: —Sup- • erintendent F. W. Pettett (Hawera), j Captain R. L. Parkin (Fitzroy), Cap- ; tain Nuttall (Eltham); Deputy-Super-• intendent Melville (Kaponga), Fireman; J. Champion (Hawera), Fireman Fraser (Waitara), Custodian F. Doughty (New Plymouth), Secretary C. H. Carey (Patea), Secretary W. Vincent (Manaia), Secretary P. Aitken (Stratford), Fireman F. C. Booth (Hawera), Captain T. G. Grubb (Stratford), Captain McClaggan (Inglewood), Secretary Hinch (Eltham), and Association Secretary Borrows (Eltham). The Mayor of Inglewood (Mr. J. Sutherland) welcomed the delegates on behalf of the residents of Inglewood. He remarked that it was the first fire brigades’ conference held in Inglewood, and expressed the hope it would not be the last one held. Referring to the work of fire brigades, Mr. Sutherland said that the members sacrificed a great deal in order to carry out their work, and the various local bodies, realised that the brigades were worthy of the greatest financial support that could he given to them. Fire brigade men were about the , worst paid men in » town, yet they were I 1 the most valuable citizens on account. o c ’■the splendid service they rendered. Tnqlewood was vary preud of the'local brigade, and he was pleased to pay that jit was now receiving a better subsidy • from the council.

Captain Ward thanked the Mayor for the welcome extended to the delegatee, and expressed his pleasure at finding such an up-to-date fire station in Inglewood. ANNUAL REPORT. The ninth annual report congratulated the Association, on its continued prosperity. Last year Stratford had had the pleasure of holding the fire brigades’ de- : monstration in their town, and all events i were keenly contested by the various brigades throughout Taranaki and some t fast times were put up in the various events, considering that the ground was very heavy after rain throughout the night. The report recorded the sympathy of the members with the relatives of the late Captain Griffiths (Fitzroy), Fireman Leach (Stratford), who was killed by accident at Auckland, and to the members of the Hamilton Fire Brigade in the loss of two of their brave firemen, who were killed while on dfity, and heartfelt sympathy to their sorrowing relatives. The Executive expressed its pleasure that Mr. J. W. McMillan (Mayor of Stratford), and Cr. C. Jackson had both promised trophies for the next demonstration. The executive also recorded its pleasure in mentioning that at a meeting held at Eltham on September 9, the rules for the Association were revised, and it was suggested that the T.D.U.F.B.A. work on moat of. the N.Z.U.F.B.A. rules. The balance sheet showed that the receipts, including a credit balance of £3l 4s brought forward, had amounted to £45 19s 6d, and the expenditure to £l7 19s sd, leaving a credit balance of £2B 0s Id. The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, referred to the work of the past year, and thanked the various brigades for their help during his term of office. The report and balance sheet were adopted. THE STRATFORD DEMONSTRATION. Considerable discussion took place regarding the demonstration held at Strat-' ford last year, the delegates from New Plymouth, Hawera and Inglewood severely criticising the judging and the manner in which the demonstration was managed. Secretary Aitken (Stratford) explained that it was his first experience of a demonstration, and he accepted the responsibility for the difficulties which arose through the judges not being notified. Eventually, on the motion of Fireman Champion, seconded by Captain Parkin, it was resolved that in future all officials at brigade demonstrations be asked if they will accept office one month before the demonstration, and that it be a recommendation to the demonstration committee to procure ex-firemen as judges if possible.

AVOIDANCE OF ACCIDENTS. A report was received from the Hawera Brigade to the following effect:— “That the Taran'aki Fire Brigades Association urge the necessity of compelling owners of all motor lorries to carry a side mirror.” Superintendent Pettett (Hawera) said that the object of sending the remit was to have the matter discussed at the N.Z. Conference. Deputy-Superintendent Melville (Kaponga) said that the new county council by-laws compelled owners of motor lorries to have a mirror attached. He asked if Hawera wanted the’mirror to be adopted universally. Fireman Booth (Hawera) agreed that it was desired to make the matter universal throughout the Dominion. The object of the remit was to endeavor to avoid accidents such as the one which happened recently in Hamilton. He mentioned that lorry drivers could not always hear an approaching fire engine on account of the noise of the motor. Superintendent Nuttall said the matter was partially covered in a remit from the New Zealand executive, which proposed that the Government be asked to introduce legislation in the direction of avoiding accidents with fire engines.. Superintendent Pettett said that what Hawera wanted was that the Associaion should give united support to the remit, so as to strengthen the hands of the delegates at the New Zealand Conference. After further discussion it was unanimously resolved to support the Hawera Brigade’s suggestion, and to recommend the New Zealand Conference to give the matter its consideration. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following office bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Secretary Hinch (Eltham); senior vice-pre-sident. Superintendent Pettett (Hawera) ; junior vice-president, Secretary C. H. Carey (Pate's); secretary, Fireman Burrows (Eltham); treasurer. Superintendent Nuttall (Eltham); auditors, Captain Ward and Fireman Champion. GENERAL. It was resolved that executive iu thxtta mouths’ time J’or

pose of considering the rules of the New Zealand after they have been revised at the Napier Conference. The question of procuring a merit board on which to record the names of past presidents, was discussed, and it was decided to recommend the executive to obtain a board and have the names of all past presidents since the formation of the Association inscribed upon

The secretary was voted an honorarium of eight guineas. On the motion of Secretary Carey, seconded by Fireman Booth, it was resolved that the question of drawing for places on the mark be left in the hands of the executive.

It was decided to oppose the rule that disabled hose l?e rolled. Superintendent Pettitt, on behalf of the Hawera Brigade, invited the Association to hold the next conference and demonstration at Hawera during next year. The invitation was accepted with thlanks.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Inglewood Borough Council for the use of the Council Chambers fftr the purpose of holding the conference. Votes of thanks were also accorded the retiring president, and to the Press. At the conclusion of the conference, the delegates and visiting firemen were entertained by the Inglewood Borough Council and the Inglewood Brigade at a banquet, held in the Town Hall. The Mayor (Mr. J. Sutherland) presided, and about 80 sat down to supper. After the loyal toast had been honored, the toast of “The Taranaki District United Fire Brigades* Association,” was nroposed, and was responded to by President Hinch. The toast of “The New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Association” was proposed by Cantain T. C. Grubb, and responded to by Fireman Champion. “The Inglewood Borough Council” was proposed by Captan Nuttall, who congratulated Inglewood on its Borough Council, the splendid water supplv, and the efficient fire br'<*r>(lA ■yTnxrnr responded op behalf of the £ouncil. boa-

ored were “The Retiring President, Captain Ward,” proposed by Captain R. L. Parkin; “The Visiting Brigades,” proposed by Captain McLaggan; “The Inglewood Fire Brigade,” proposed by Secretary Carey; “The Ladies,” and “The Press.” During the evening songs- were contributed by Messrs. P. Aitken, Dowler, Carey, and Burrows.