MASTERTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2294, 13 May 1886, Page 2

MASTERTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

A meeting of the Firo Brigade was held in the engine-shed last nigh;, when the following letter was read by the Secretary, Mr J. W. Leahy : May 12,1880. Mr W. T. Peacock, Captain M.V.F.B. Sir,—At a special meeting of tho Masterton Borough Council held yesterday, it was decided to re-organize the Fire Brigade upon the basis of the appointment of the Captain by the Council, and payment of members. The presont Brigade is therefore disbanded, and Mr Barker is entrusted with tho task of forming the new Brigade. The members of the present Brigade are requested to hand in to Mr Hoar the uniforms, implements, and other property of tho Cuuncil'now in their possession without delay. In conveying this information to you I am directed to express to tho late Brigade, through you, the thanks of tho Borough Council for their past services, and to cordially invito your members to assist Mr Barker in forming a now Brigade. I have, &c, R, Brown, Town Clork.

The members immediately resolved upon disbanding and handed in their uniforms and implements to tho engine keener. Mr Thomas Barker, tho newly appointed captain, was in attendance, and informed tho lato members that ho had leceived a communication from the Town Clerk conveying a resolution of the Borough Council appointing him captain, and authoris-' ing and requesting him to form a brigade uponthe following terms:—Tho members to be paid at the rate of 36a a year, for which they would have to attend twelve' practices per annum. Each member on duty at a fire would receivo payment at the rato of 2s per hour for such attendance. The rules of the new brigade to,bo based upon those of Wellington. Several questions were asked as to whethor the men would bo paid in tho event of being called to extinguish chimney fires, and upon other points, but Captain Barker, not being iu a position to answer them, stated it was his intention to call a meeting for the following evening (to-night) for the purpose of enrolling new members, when ho would be fully prepared to supply information pf the basis upon which the now be worked. '••.'■'. ';• '•'' • There being no brigade. In existence, Captain Barker made such' arrangements as would be conducive to the protection of property in tye e'yejit'tf a fire breaking

nut before the formation of a new brigade" was completed, Somo severe remarks wero made upoii tho manner in which the .Council had dismissed the brigade without giving thorn notice, The late morabers decided to divide their private prepertyj prizes won in inatches, pictures, draughts, &c, amongst them, eud the remainder of the evening taken up;.with' drawing lots, during which some good-tempered' banter waß indulged in. "Look here, boys! this represents four years hard said a weather beaten ex-fireman, lading up a water-bottle which he' j»m.. Thiscausedroarsof laughter, ;'W-|™ the room was denuded of the book-ensoand the walls.stripped of its ornament and pictures; the place had'a woe-begone appearance quite in .keeping with the looks of the men as they departed in twos and threes.