1518

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[No. 37

when he shall sit down, in which case the member calling to order shall be heard thereon in preference to any other speaker, and the question of order shall be disposed of before the subject is resumed by the speaker who was interrupted, or any other subject entered thereupon.

As to speaking in moving or seconding Motions.

25. Any member moving or seconding any motion or amendment shall be held to have spoken on that question.

Pre-audience.

26. If two or more members rise to speak at the same time the Chairman shall decide which is entitled to pre-audience.

Speaking twice.

27. No member shall speak twice on the same question except by way of explanation, or in reply upon any original motion of which he may be the mover; or, as the mover of the amendment last carried, and after the reply the amendment or the original motion (as the case may be) shall be immediately put to the vote.

Decision of Points of Order.

28. The Chairman when called upon to decide a point of order or practice shall state the rule or precedent applicable to the case without argument or comment, and his decision as to what is order or explanation shall be final.

Amendments.

29. One amendment only shall be discussed at one time, but if lost another may be moved before the original question is put to the vote, but upon any amendment being carried it shall be competent for any member to move one other amendment thereon, but not more.

Amendment, if carried, to quash Original Motion.

30. Upon the adoption of any amendment by the Board, such amendment shall be held to have quashed the original motion, and for all purposes of subsequent discussion the amendment so carried shall be acted upon as an original motion.

Adjournment.

31. No discussion shall be allowed on motion for adjournment of the Board, but, if on the question being put, the motion be negatived, the subject then under consideration or the next on the notice paper shall be discussed, or any other that may be allowed precedence before any subsequent motion for adjournment be entertained, but if the motion for adjournment be carried the business then undisposed of shall have precedence at the next meeting of the Board.

Motions to be in Writing.

32. At every meeting of the Board all motions, whether original motions or amendments, shall be reduced into writing signed by the mover, and delivered to the Chairman immediately on their being moved and seconded.

General Conduct of Business.

33. In all cases not herein provided for resort shall be made to the rules, forms, and usages of Parliament, which shall be followed so far as the same are applicable to the proceedings of the Board.

Press.

34. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the Press, unless otherwise determined; but strangers will not be permitted to be present at meetings of committees unless at the request of such committees.

BY-LAWS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF DISCIPLINE AND THE ENSURING OF GOOD CONDUCT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Appointments and Promotions of Officers.

1. The appointment of the Superintendent shall be made by the Board. The appointments of the Deputy Superintendent, District Superintendents, and Foreman shall be made by the Board, due consideration given to the recommendation of the Superintendent as to engagement of men not theretofore in the service of the Board or as to promotion of officers or men in the Board’s service.

Ranking of Officers.

2. After the Superintendent and the Deputy Superintendent, officers shall rank in order of seniority of appointment.

Qualifications for Membership of Brigade.

3. Candidates for appointment must be physically strong men, free from any defect in limb, hearing, or sight, and will be required to undergo a medical examination by such legally qualified practitioners as the Board may appoint, fee to be paid by candidate, but to be refunded by the Board after twelve months’ service.

They must not be less than twenty-one years of age, nor more than thirty-two years, unless they have been previously and recently engaged as active and efficient firemen, or are otherwise thoroughly competent. In such cases the age-limit may be extended to forty years. They must be able to read and write, and will be required to produce testimonials as to character and ability. They will also be required to produce certificate of birth, or other satisfactory proof of age, if required.

Members on Appointment to serve a Term of Probation.

4. Eligible candidates, when finally approved, will be accepted as members of the brigade on probation only, the term of which shall not be less than three months. If at the end of such term the probationer shall have given satisfaction to the Superintendent, and have proved himself suitable, his appointment to the brigade may be confirmed by the Board.

Engagement terminable by Board without Reason assigned.

5. All engagements or appointments made by the Board may be cancelled or annulled without any reason being assigned.

Retiring-age.

6. The age at which members of the brigade shall retire from the service shall be as follows: Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and District Superintendents, sixty-five years; engineers and foremen, fifty-five years; firemen, fifty years; drivers, forty-five years; but the Board may, if it thinks fit, in any special case extend these limits for a further five years, but no more.

The Superintendent.

7. The duties and powers of the Superintendent shall be as follows:—

(1.) He shall be responsible to the Board for the efficiency of the members of the brigade, and all gear used in its service.

(2.) He shall have the power to suspend any member for breach of discipline or misconduct of any description, at any time, but must at once report such suspension to the Board. The member suspended may appeal to the Board, who will hold an inquiry into the alleged breach of discipline or misconduct. At such inquiry the suspended member shall be present, and have the right to speak in his defence and, if he desires, bring witnesses in support of same.

(3.) He shall allot quarters to the members of the brigade, and such members shall reside in such quarters as he may from time to time direct.

(4.) He shall allot such duties to the members of the brigade as he shall deem necessary for assuring the efficiency thereof, and may withdraw any member from any special duty and allot him fresh duties at his (the Superintendent’s) discretion.

(5.) He shall keep a Store-book, in which shall be entered all property of the Fire Board, the date of purchase, and the date when it was first used and when condemned.

(6.) He shall keep the Service-record book, containing the names, occupations, places of birth, date of birth, dates of joining and discharge from the brigade, with awards and punishments by the Board, in proper manner.

(7.) He shall perform any duty the Fire Board may from time to time assign to him.

Duties of an Officer in Charge of a Station.

8. To take charge of the horses, reels, engines, escapes, and all gear property of the Board, and to keep an inventory of same.

To keep the premises and all appliances in thorough working-order, and to see that the reels, engines, and escapes are in position, and ready in every particular to turn out immediately on a call being received.

To take charge of all men belonging to the station, and to maintain a strict system of discipline at all times.

To see that the stables are kept clean and in proper order, and that the horses are fit and ready for work at all times.

To see that all electrical and other communicating appliances are maintained in proper working-order, and report.

To implicitly obey all orders of his superior, and to exact the same implicit obedience from those serving under him.

To see that all orders of his superior, as far as they refer to matters under his control, are carried out in the most effective manner.