LOCAL JEALOUSY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2742, 22 February 1910, Page 5

LOCAL JEALOUSY.

A LITTLE TROUBLE OVER THE FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE.

[Special to “Times.”] NAPIER, Feb. 21. Local jealousies are frequently very amusing. Some indignation was felt by the promoters of the Fire Brigade Conference in Hastings on Saturday when they heard that a meeting Lad been called in Napier to discuss business pertaining to the Conference, as it was considered that such meetings should have been held in Hastings. Air. J. M. Bamford, secretary of the entertainment executive, wired to Mr. J. Gilberd on Saturday protesting against what he considered a slight on the management, and the following reply was received from [Mr. G. Spriggins:— '.'Regret the suggestion of want of courtesy. The meeting was held at office to expedite Conference business and in the best interests of the Association.”

A meeting of the Hastings executive was held to_ discuss the position, Superintendent Brausch in the chair. The chairman considered that a slight had been put on Hastings, and the general tone of the meeting was in accord with, the chairman.

Lieutenant Lindergreen said that Mr Spriggins was only president of the accident association, and that Mr. Gilberd should have replied t-o the executive’s telegram. It was decided “That the executive does not consider that the telegram received from Mr. Spriggins was a direct reply to the telegram sent from Hastings on behalf of the Association, and would like to 'know by whose authority it was sent.” A reporter saw Air. Gilberd on the matter, when that "entleman said: “'A slight on Hastings! Why. no suckthing was ever thought of. The meet, ing was called in Napier to arrange preliminaries and for my convenience, because all mv books were there.”

T!ie reporter timidly suggested that the wholesome emulation at existing between the sister towns might, as little familv jealousies do, account for the sensitiveness of the Heretaungan centre. "Yes,” Mr. Gilberd said, “but I tell you there was no slight at all. and as for jealousy, why. bless my soul! you never hear anything of it in Napier. We recognise that Hastings’ advancement is for the good of Napier, and that the prosnoritv of both towns must go hand in hand.”