1914 - Contests and Conference
Papers Past, Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 21, 7 February 1914, Page 3
FIRE BRIGADE CONTESTS (by TELEGRAPH. – PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 6th February
The fire brigades’ competition commenced this afternoon, brigades being present from all parts of the North Island and from Dunedin. Results:-
Two-men Coupling event. - Dunedin South 1, Petone Railway 2, Grey Lynn 3, Dannevirke 4.
Disabled Hose Event:— Thames 1, Dannevirke 2, Dunedin South 3. Devonport. 4.
Hawera, Napier and Taumarunui were among other brigades which took part.
Papers Past, Grey River Argus, 10 March 1914, Page 3
UNITED FIRE. BRIGADES .
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
(Per Press Association.)
AKAROA, March 9
The 35th. annual. meeting of the. United Fire: Brigades Association opened to-day at . Akaroa, nearly every brigade in New Zealand being represented.
Superintendent G. Spriggins, Wanganui presided.
The annual report stated that matters in connection with the Association were in a very satisfactory condition. The amount of assets over liabilities was £536 6s 6d, as against £643 10s 6d for the previous year a decrease of £107 4s. That was accounted for by the non inclusion of the Government grant for 1914 of £300, which came to hand too late to be included in the balance sheet.
The actual assets really amounted, to £836.6s.6d .
The number of brigades affiliated with the Association at the close of the year was 131 …. with the Association at the close of the year - was 127 being an increase of three from 1ast year.
Arch Hill and Parnell brigades were absorbed by Auckland City Brigade.
During the: year the following brigades had become affiliated :—Denniston Frankton Junction, Pukekohe, Remuera and Te Awamutu.
Since then Leeston, Mangaweka and Whakatane brigades. had joined, making the present total 130
In the Course of the year four calls had been made for financial assistance on behalf of comrades in distress and the total amount subscribed to date was £176 19s for which members were heartily thanked.
During the past year the Association had suffered loss by death of one of their most esteemed past presidents, viz., the late M J. Hughes of Auckland.
The accident assurance branch of the Association was in a satisfactory condition The revenue amounted - to £233 13s 3d, and the expenditure, which included a death claim, to -£137 thus leaving a profit for the year of £96 13s 3d.
The total fund now to the credit of the accident fund was £1949 3s.
The balance sheet showed the receipts for the year to be £2093 18s 9d and the expenditure£1,525 16s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £568 2s 3d.
The assets were valued at £736 10s 6d and the liabilities. £200 4s, leaving a balance of £536 6s.6d.
The report and balance sheet were adopted.
The conference discussed the following notice of motion proposed by the Napier fire brigade, that in the event of territorial duty falling in a brigade muster, and the brigade members having to attend, they be marked as present on the brigade roll.
It was decided to defer the matter until the deputation saw the Hon. F. H W. Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs, who is arriving on Wednesday.
The motion of the Devonport brigade that it be made compulsory for every intending member of brigades to be medically examined was lost.
It was decided to abolish the system of compulsory levies for benevolent purposes in favour of a voluntary system.
A motion by the Dunedin City. Brigade that all, M.F.B.A. honors be standardised was carried.
A number of questions relating to competing conditions were discussed but the majority of the changes proposed were defeated.
It was decided that the drop in the shutter discs be used, at all future demonstrations.
It was decided to award a gold star to Fireman Morrison of Gisborne, who in the opinion of the special sub committee set up to consider his case, had his name improperly removed from the brigade roll between 1888 and 1909.
It was decided that manual events should not count for the high pressure shield.
The next conference and demonstrations are fixed for Timaru.