THE FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9045, 11 March 1908, Page 5

THE FIRE BRIGADES' CONFERENCE.

ACCIDENT ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

Yesterday morning the proceedings in connection with the United Fire Brigades' Association Conference toko the form of the annual meeting of the Accident Assurance Society. _ The chair was occupied by President Boyes. The following members were also present:—(Executive), Past-President Scantlebury, VicePresidents King and Spriggens, Rohbins, E. Smith and Phillips and Secretary Gilberd. (Delegates),— Alexandra South, Fireman Hewitt; Akaroa, Superintendent Godwin; Auckland, Fireman R. Meek; Arch Hill, Branchman J. Houghton; Ashburton, Captain T. Barber; Blenheim, Captain Miller; Bluff, Captain Leith; Caversham, Secretary G. Will; Christchurch City, Superintendent E. Smith; Carterton, Fireman T. Canton; Devonport, Secretary J. Gasson; Dannevirke, Foreman W. Mintrm; ElthP.m, DeputySuperintendent Sogers; Fitzroy, Foreman Griffiths; Greymouth, Fireman Deene; Feilding, Superintendent G. H. Saywell; Grey Lynn, Superintendent Fenton; Greymouth, Fireman Deane; Gisborne, Fireman Lapridge; Gore, Fireman Wallia; Greytown Ycluntear Fire Brigade, Captain A. L. Webster; Geraldine, Fireman Joe; Hustings, Lieut. W. Keith; Hawera, Secretary Robbins; Hokitika, A. Andrews; Inglevvood, Captain Roistcn; Invercargill, A. Harkne&s; Islington, Captain King; Kumara, Foreman E. Mulvihill; Lyttelton, J. Barnes; Levin, Secretary McTaggart; Lower Hutt, Lieut Mcllvride; Mt. Albert (proxy), Fenton; Milton, Firem«H. Moyes; Mt. Eden Fireman Liffecombe; Masterton, CopWU i/.£l l -™ kiflS,'- Msrton, Superintendent McDonald',- Masterton Fire Police, Lieut. Budd; Napier, Fire Police, ,%eretary Brock; Naseby, Fireman Kvfjbyj Mttpter, Branchman HillsCn} New PtyWo&tttt Firem:in W. Way; Nelson, ''fWemati E. Woodward; Oamaru, Cspt&h Mainland; Onehunga. Secretary''-.Ekthoxne; Parnell, Fireman T. McKays Palmerston North, Superintemtetitf Tingey; Paeroa, Secretary BremMW;". Reef ton, Captain J. Sunderland,' Kfeknond, Secretary J. P. Stone; Rangfofti, W. J. Ford; Rosljn, Foreman John White; Stratford, Captain Kivell; Sumner, Superintendent Phillips; Spit, Branchman H. Smith; Timaru, Captain P. Campbe.ll; Temuka, Fireman W. Blyth; Thames, Captain Addison; Waipavva. Fireman M. H. Selbey; Woodville, J. Barkwith; Wanganui, Captain Spriggens; Westport, Lieut. Leaver. The President, in opening the Conference, said: — Vice-President, ex-President, and Brother Delegates—

Gentlemen.—l have very great pleasure in welcoming you to our sixteenth annual meeting of the United Fire Brigades' Accident Society. As you will see frum the copy of the balance-sheet how before you, we have had a most successful year. Our increase in funds was £153 19a sd, bringing up the credit balance of the Society to £1,320 17s Gd. During the past year claims were submitted to the Executive, several of which might have been dealt with in the usual course had it not been for the laxity of the Sacretaries of the respective Brigades. "These cases received the Executive's most careful attention, with results that were satisfactory ti those concerned. Ths order paper embraces a number of alterations in cur i-ules, which we trust will receive due and careful consideration from the delegates. 1 would ask those delegates who are in touch with Brigades not yet affiliated with this Society to use their best endeavours to induce them to join, and so participate in the benefits to be derived from the same. I would like to see this Conference take up the matter of establishing an Honors Board, for the small cost of the same could well be afforded from its Management Fund. And owing to the rapid growth of the Society, with a consequent increase of capital to its credit, it behoves the delegates to exercise care in the selection of their Executive, as the question of reduction of fees or increase of benefits is one that must be dealt with, and which can easily be made a success or' failure by injudicious management. In conclusion, I think our deliberations will be productive of continued increase and advancement to the Society. Claiming, as I know I will receive, your heartiest support in the conduct of the business, I now have much pleasure in declaring the Conference open. The report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. It was decided to amend rule 20 to provide for the payment of benefit allowance to competitors "covered under comuetition risk."

Rule.24 (contributions to benefit fund) was amended by adding "in case of extra members being enrolled, if the time remaining exceeds six months, full rate to be paid, if under that term, half rate." Rule 29 (dissolution of society) to provide for the payment of half of the surplus (if any) being paid to the U.F.8.A., and the balance to charities nominated by the brigades "then in the Societys" in their respective districts. It was decided that a copy of the Executive's report and balancesheet, with a statement of total receipts and expenditure,' be sent to each of the brigades not. connected with the Accident Society. A motion by Napier that the whole of the rules be revised was negatived. The following motion by Lower Hutt was defeated:—"That any fire brigade associated with the United Fire Brigades' Association and Accident Society, when holding fire brigade competitions, be allowed to take out an open policy in the Accident Society to cover any five competitors who may be taking part in such competitions on the payment of the sum of 12s 6d." The President moved that an honours board be obtained on which the names of past officers be inscribed. Secretary Robins moved an amendment that a silk banner be obtained for the purpose. The amendment was carried on division. / A resolution was~carried granting members of the Executive £2 2s as expenses when attending Conferences.

A new rule was added, "That bona fide messengers of Brigades be admitted as members for full risks only with the Accident Society. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — President, Captain King; VicePresidents, Captain Jenkins (Masterton), Captain Spriggins; Secretary, Jas. G. Gilberd; Treasurer, Superintendent Smith; Auditors, F. W. Garner and W. HodgsenCaptain Jenkins briefly returned thanks for his election. He said that though only a young officer, he was devoted to the work of Fire Brigades in general, and of the Masterton Brigade in particular, and would do all in his power for the advancement of the Society. Captain Jenkins received forty votes out of a possible sixty-three, Captain Spriggins (Wanganui) being next with thirty-three votes. The meeting then adjourned.