THE FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9419, 23 May 1882, Page 3

THE FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.

A public meeting was held in the Volunteer Hall last night to consider what steps should be taken to raise f ands for the Teinuka Volunteer Fire Brigade. Captain Ollivier was sorry some of the leading men of the town were not present; in their absence he would take the chair. The object of tha meeting was to try and raise tunds Tor putting the Brigade on a substantial footing. All they required was about £lO3. They -wanted a auction hose which would only cost £5, delivery hose ' £2O, branch pipe 16s 6d, branch pipe for two hose £4,15 canvas buckets £3 12s, one hose coupling £l, helmets £9. Uniforms he left out, although they were very much wanted,because he did not wish to go too elaborately to work. Uniforms would cost about £3 10s each. They must have helmets because they could not get on without them, as they would be in danger of their heads being broken with falling timber. They would want a supply of water; they could not get on without water. They would Lave to sink about five or six wells in places where they would be of use to the Brigade, and these would cost about £6O. That sum would also put the old wells in order: They would altogether require £lO3 3s 6d, leaving out uniforms. The insurance agents and the public ought to subscribe this sum, and put the Brigade on a proper footing. If there bad been any wind on the day of Mr Hay hurst's fire they would have to remove* the engine to the station. Then they would not have had sufficient hase, and they would have been utterly useless. He had to thank the public for the manner in which they had assisted on that day. He had never been better assisted. He would suggest that someone should

move a resolution to appoint a Committee to canvass the town.

Mr Edmonds movod—" That the insurance ngenta and the public be asked to support the Brigade." Mr Surridge seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

Captain Ollivier was sorry more interest was not taken in the matter. He supposed ''he people were heavily insured, and did not care.

Mr Preddy said he thought uniforms were necessary. Men could not be expected to spoil their clothes together with giving their services for nothing. Captain Ollivier said, certainly uniforms were necessary. Only fools would destroy their clothe? if the public did not cave to support them. To include uniforms it would take £IBO.

Mr Mendelson suggested that the Boad ' Board be interviewed to get a water supply. He would give £5. (Cheers). Captain Ollivier was thankful to Mr Mendelson. He had had frequent inter, views with the Board, and had asked the Chairman to bepresent and take the chair that evening, but it was no use. They told him to wait until they got a water supply into the town; they could not afford £6O!, and he (Captain Ollivier) said, let things burn away then. MrTwomey thought that the amount required was more than could be expected to be raised by voluntary subscription. The Boad Board in all fairness ought to supply water. They collected the rates* and this was the £least they should do. But as the Pvoad Board showed such disregard for the town, the best thing to do was to separate from the Board and get the town proclaimed a borough. By doing this they would hare a Borough Council to look after the interests of the town men to meet>nd confer together 'as to what r/an best to be done. At present no one took an interest in anything, the town was in a most shocking state for want of drainage, and though the Pvoad Board had been long haggling over the drainage question they did not seem a whit nearer having it done. If they had a Council they would take an interest in the Brigade, and in many other things. Now was the time to separate. There was a large sum to the cradit of the Board in the Bank, and it was better to separate and get a share of that than wait until it was all spent. (Applause),

Captain Ollivier agreed with Mr Two . mey. The excuse the Board gave him was that they eould>xpend money only on roads and footpaths. There was no use mincing matters, they would-, have to get a water supply somehow. If there had been high wind when the fire took place at Mr Hayhurst's, it would have burned Mr Brown's, Mr Mendelson's and Mr Coira's, and all round there, and the Brigade, for want of proper appliances, could do no more than eit down and warm themselves.

Mr Twomey moved -" That a deputation be appointed to represent to the Road Board the urgent necessity that exists for a supply of water for Fire Brigade purposes, and that it be asked to contribute the Bum necessary for that purpose." Mr Davy seconded th« resolution, which was carried unanimously.

On the motion of Mr Davy, Captain Ollivier and Mr Mendelson were appointed as the daputation to the Road Board.

On the motion of Mr Edmonds, Messrs Heap, Ash well, Oprichard, J. Brown, Mendelson, Gray, Rayner, Siegert and Fauvel, and Wills, being principally insurance agents, were appointed a Committee to canvass for subscriptions, A voice : I have Ja resolution to pro-

pose. The Chairman : Well, let us hear it. The voice : I move a vote of thanks to the Chairman. The Chairman : Oh ! Is that all 1 (Great cheering.) The meeting then terminated.