FIRE BRIGADE FOR GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1456, 19 January 1886, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE FOR GERALDINE.

On Saturday evening a meeting attended by about 40 person*, was held in the Town Board office, Geraldine, for the purpose of considering the advisability or otherwise of organising a fire brigade. Mr R. H. Pearpoint, Chairman of the Town Board, presided, and after reading the advertisement convening the meeting, asked for an expression of opinion from those present. Mr Patrick said as the Town Board had taken the initiative steps in the matter, perhaps the Chairman would be able to give them some information. The Chairman stated that although the Board bad taken the initiative steps, the meeting was only called to allow the ratepayers an opportunity of discussing whether a brigade should be started or not. Mr J. Quinn wonld like to know from the Insurance Agents present what their companies would be likely to give to wards the movement. The Chairman said the Fire Association always gave something annually to Fire Brigades. Mr Mundell said the agents could do nothing of themselves, but he was sure the Insurance Companies doing business in the town would do aomething for them. A clerk was down a few days ego from one of the Insurance offices in Christchurch, and he informed the speaker that he was sure the Insurance Companies would do what they could. It was to the Companies’ interest to foster movements of the kind. Ha would move—“ That a Fire Brigade be formed in Geraldine.” Mr Quinn asked if it was intended the Brigade should be a volunteer one, or would it be under the supervision of the Town Board? Mr Mundell, after a little further discussion, added to his motion the words, “ and that it be under the supervision of the Town Board.” Mr Dunlop seconded the motion. He thought the Town Board would be able to look after the interests of the Brigade if it were under their supervision, and they could also provide suitable accommodation for the Brigade's apparatus. The Chairman put the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Chairman, in reply to Mr Quinn, said the members would have to give their services voluntarily, and the Brigade, if under the supervision of the Town Board, would be worked under the “ Municipal Corporations Act,” If the ratepayers’ were willing to allow their funds to bo spent in this way, the Board could supply the members of the Brigade with uniforms. Mr Cunningham moved—“ That the Town Board get all the information necessary as to cost of engine, and what amount the Insurance Companies would be willing to give annually.” Bethought the Town Board the best and proper means through which all inquiries should be made. He did not think there would be any* lack of volunteers. The Board should also state what sum they would be likely to contribute annually. Mr Patrick seconded the motion. Mr Quinn asked, in the event of a fire where would the supply of water be 'obtained? Mr Dunlop said the question of a t water-supply for the township had often been discussed by the Board. He had seen a letter that morning in one of the newspapers advocating a water-scheme, but he thought that such a one as sug» gested would be beyond the powers of the Board. He thought the best way would .be to sink concrete tanks. An individual had that morning made a suggestion to him which he considered a good one, and that was that a large well should be Blink at the upper end of the town, and a windmill pump erected over it to supply water to the town. Mr Cunningham’s motion was then put and carried. Mr Huffey asked if the meeting would be in favor of bearing a share of the cost, if; there was any, over and above what amounts would be centributed, and whether' they wonld be willing for a rate to be struck to make up the deficiency. The Chairman said it was hardly necessary to answer the question at this meeting. It would be better to wait till the aext meeting when they had more data before them and knew what the cost would be.

Mr fluffey said what he wanted to know was that if the Brigade were started whether the ratepayers would be willing to support it, as it could not be carried on without money. Mr Stonehouse thought as the Board now had a large sum of money in hand it would not require a very heavy rate to raise the amount necessary to keep the Brigade going. Mr Cunningham said as the meeting was a fairly representative one of the ratepayers, he would like to suggest, before them, to the Town Board, that ' tlie opinion of a reliable, engineer should be taken in regard to this water scheme. He considered money would be a ell spent in this direction. It was impossible for any but a professional person to give • qualified opinion on the subject.

Mr Turner thought a good supply of water could be brought from Bennett’s Creek above Mackenzie's old sawmill, at a small cost, if the necessary permission could be obtained to bring the water-race through private property. The Chairman stated, on behalf of the Town Board, that if the ratepayers would get up a requisition he would be happy to call a public meeting to discuss the water-supply scheme for Geraldine. The meeting was then closed, after deciding that another should be called at an early date, when the Board have obtained all the available information.