MEETING AT FIRE BRIGADE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1969, 14 November 1889, Page 2

MEETING AT FIRE BRIGADE.

A meeting of persons interested in forming a fire brigade for the Geraldine district was held in the Town Board office on Tuesday last. There appeared to be a great interest taken in the projected brigade as there was a large attendance of the public. The young men of the place rolled up in force, and took a keen interest in the proceedings, Mr W. S. Maslin, chairman of the Geraldine Town Board, occupied the chair, and read the advertisement calling the meeting, and stated what the board had done as to getting 'the appliances, which information has appeared in this paper from time to time. He also stated that Mr Pearpoint,, chairman of the committee appointed to work up details, had

some correspondence which he would lay before them. Mr Pearpoint stated that he had been m correspondence with most of the brigades between Christchurch and Waimate re forming a brigade. He then gave a short summary of the correspondence. He thought very little could be done, however, till the members were appointed. He thought the best thing he could do was to read over the rules and regulations which were usually adopted by brigades, i This ho did. V

Mr Surridge, secretary of the Tetnuka Fire; Brigade,! was present, and gave the meeting soma particulars as to the steps to be taken. - A short discussion took 1 place as to the class of uniforms to be ivorn, also as to the number of men that: should compose the brigade. finally Mr White proposed that the brigade be limited to 15 men, including the officers. Mr J. J, Hiskens asked if 15 would be sufficient. • ' :s ' l

Mr Surridge said that at Temuka they had 13 men at present, and had only made provision for 15, and their’s was a larger engine than the one that was being obtained for Geraldine. The Chairman*pointed'out thatthe more men they had the more expense it would be to the Town 1 Board, and that body had not the funds to go in too expensively for uniforms, etc. Hr H. W. Moore said that they should remember that there were ' several householders who were just } outside the town boundary who would be only too willing to subscribe something towards the expense. He, for instance, did not have' to pay the Town Board rates, but he would be very glad to subscribe towards the brigade. (Applause). I Mr; White’s motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr W: Helem wanted to know if the Board would always guarantee a good supply of water. He had noticed that it was occasionally turned off.

The Chairman pointed out that the work was new, and consequent!/ required a few slight alterations, and the water had been turned off tor a da/ or two while these were being carried oat. As there was no brigade in the town the Board had not been particularly averse to turning the water off, but when the brigade had been formed to utilise the water the/ would taka every precaution to see that it was kept running. As to quantity, they could if they wished turn on sufficient to flood the town. •

Mr T. Sherratt thought the Board should say distinctly whether they would provide a uniform before they asked people to join the brigade. The Chairman said the Board fihd a uniform.

Mr Pearpoint thought, they, should form the brigade, and then approach the Board re these minor matters of uniforms, etc. The Chairman said the Board would do its best for. the brigade inthe matter of uniforms when once it was formed. /

The election of a brigade was then proceeded with. Twenty-three persons were nominated, and on a ballot being taken the following 15 were elected :—H. Walton, W. Fleming, A. Baker, W. Winefield, T. Shierratt# E. Millard, J. J. Hiskens, W. G» Sherratt, F, Warner, Gr. Erase, J, Brown, T. H. Harley, j. R. Flower, A. Erskiue, and W. Stonehouse, juir. The public meeting then terminated, and a meeting of the new brigade was held, when the following officers were elected; Captain, W. H. Walton j Lieutenant, W. Winefield; Foreman Hook and Ladder Company, A. Baker; Foreman Hose Company, W. Fleming; Secretary, T. Sherratt; Treasurer, J. J. Hiskens. It was resolved that the committee consist of seven, including the officers. . Mr Harley was elected the additional! committeeman. It was decided to hold the next committee meeting .on Tuesday the 19th inst., at theJTown Board office. The meeting then terminated;