FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 836, 10 March 1903, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADES CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) Napier, last night.

The annual conference of the Fire Brigades Association was held to-day. Mr J. G. Walton, of Greyinoutb, the president, occupied tho chair. The annual report showed that six now brigades had joined during tho year, making the roll number 83. Tho balance sheet Bhowed receipts totalling £1282 18s 4J, including Government subsidy £250, and Government vote for exhibition £250. The Association has a cash balance of £296. The funds of the accident insurance society are in a healthy condition, the credit balance amounting to £783. Later.—At tho New Zoaland United Fire brigades’ Conference to day the following resolutions wore carried “ That •any brigade being in default or acting in such a manner as to be derogatory to the wolfaro or interests of tho Association may bo suspended by the executive from all benefits, a brigade suspended having the power, by giving one month’s notice before the annual meeting, of appealing to the delegates against the executive’s decision ; ” “ That invitations to hold the conference or conference and demonstration shall bo handed in at tho annual meeting, and if more than one invitation be received, a vote of tho brigades shall be taken and decided upon 11 That in the ovont of any fireman being in auothor district than his own he be allowed to put in his practices with the brigado of that place, provided such brigado it duly registered, those attendances to bo recorded on the roll of his own brigado." Secretary Bobbins (Hawera), President Walton (Greymouth), and Lieutenant Baker (Gore) were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Premier during his visit to Napier this week, and to ask whether the Government would give its support to the Fire Brigades Bill, the principles of which are that tho maintenance of brigades should be cast upon local bodies, fire insurance companies, and the Government. The deputation was also instructed to bring under tho notice of Mr Seddon the question of obtaining a reduction in the duty on fire brigade appliances. Invitations for the next Conference have been received from Palmerston North and Te Aroha. A vote of the brigades throughout the colony will be taken on the matter during the next two months.