LAWRENCE FIRM BRIGADE

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 170, 11 May 1871, Page 6

LAWRENCE FIRM BRIGADE

A meeting of gentlemei williug to form themselves into a fire brigade was held in the Commercial Assembly Room, on Friday evening last. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and, in opening the business of the niectinj;, remarked that whatever might be said of volunteer companeis and brass bands, &c, which, no doubt, were all very good in their way, his opinion was that a fire brigade would be found be much m - >re useful in a township like Lawivnce. He had it on good authority that the various insurance offices in Dunedin would assist them, and as ho was «ning to Dnnedin in a day or two, he would make it a pnmfof calling upon the agents of she saveral companies, in order to sea what assistance they proposed to give the brigade. He had always been a warm supporter of fire brigades, although he knew nothing personally of their working, but Mr. Whittet, who was pres Hit, hid formerly been a member of the Dunedin Brigade, and he (Mr. Bastings) had no doubt that he would be able to put them in working order. They had a good water supply in Lawrence, which, in case of fire, could be made available in almost any part of the town ; and they had also the nucleus of a fire brigade plant, in the shape of a hose, »tc, so that with the addition of a small hand-engine and a length or two more of hose, they would be in working order. Mr. Mears moved the first resolution, and Mr. Robertson seconded, "That in the opinion o£ tliis meeting it -was desirable, for the protection of property in the township of Lawrence, that steps be taken to form a fire brigade." This resolution was carried unanimously. After a desultory conversation as to the next business to be proceeded with, it was a/reed to appoint the officers, viz., a captain and a foreman. Mr. Hill moved, and Mr. Mears seconded, " That Mr. Bastings be captain." — Carried. On the motion of Mr. Lyng, seconded by Mr. M'Kimmie, Mr. T>. Whittet was appointed foreman. Mr. Mears was elected treasurer, and Mr. Holmes, secretary. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee, viz , Messrs Mears, Whittet, Robertson, Hill, and M'Kimmie. As Mr Bastings was goin<* to Dunedin, it was proposed that he call on Captain Wain, of the Dnnedin Fire Brigade, for the purpose of obtaining the necessary information as to the rules and the working of the brigade. Mr. Mears moved "That this brigade be called the Lawrence Volunteer Fire Brigade." Seconded by Mr. M'Kimmie. — Carried. After some conversation about uni form, &c, the meeting adjourned.