A WORK’S FIRE BRIGADE.
Towards the end of 1892 a work’s fire brigade was started; a large supply of hose was procured, and after a short period of training uniforms were procured by the committee. The committee took a keen interest in the proposal to hold a bazaar in aid of the fund for providing a Co-operative seaside home for convalescents. When the ladies of the movement first met to consider plans for the bazaar they were the guests of the Society; representatives of the Society attended the meetings held to make preparations for the bazaar; the purvey department undertook the catering during the three days it lasted, and the profits accruing from the sales, amounting to over £17, were handed over to the Bazaar Committee. On several occasions requests by the vanmen for a full six days’ holiday every year had been refused by the committee; but in the beginning of 1893 the question was again considered, and it was agreed that the bakers, vanmen, and breadroom workers each get five days of continuous holiday instead of three.
During the whole of the period from the beginning of 1892 until well on in 1894 the time of the committee was much occupied with matters connected with the extensions which were going on. Although the addition at the north end of M‘Neil Street was finished and occupied early in 1893, the work in connection with the new stables and the fitting up of the biscuit factory called for constant attention on the part of the committee, and every minute contains details of contracts entered into or being carried out; while, in addition to the work which was being done by contract, the Society had bricklayers, painters, and a plumber working under their direct employment. A building department had not yet been formed, but the Society was gathering together the nucleus of this department which took shape and being at a later date.