LONG SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 3

LONG SERVICE.

MEDALS PRESENTED. FIRE BOARD TRIBUTES. For long and meritorious service in connection with lire control in Auckland, the presentation of long-service medals was made, at a meeting of the Auckland Fire Board this morning, to Messrs. M. J. Coyle and J. B. Paterson. In making the presentation to Mr. Coyle. the chairman of the 'board, Mr. ■T. J. Kingston, said the recipient was an old fire-brigadm man, and had jriven a lot of service before joining the old Fire Board. He had given great service as a board member. Mr. Coyle said that he joined the Auckland Fire Brigade in 1884, and served under the late Mr. John Hughes, who was a fine old fireman. Mr. Coyle believed that he was the first Auckland fireman to become a member of the board, where he had had a liappy time under the able control of Mr. Kingston, who was always ready to give advice, and whose rulings were always fair. Mr. Kingston said that Mr. Paterson had had long service with local Ixxly affairs. Mr. Paterson said that he had been on the board for 14 years. He recalled the days of the fire station in Albert .Street, when "Big Ben" was opposite, and horses were used. He said the public of Auckland was greatly indebted to Mr. Kingston, wlio had served about a quarter of a century as a memlwr of the Ixiard. Personally, added Mr. Paterson, he had served the citv for ">0 years, and was >till doing what he couid for the community.