FIRE BRIGADE AT LYTTELTON

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27683, 13 June 1955, Page 12

FIRE BRIGADE AT LYTTELTON

RETIRING OFFICERS HONOURED PRESENTATIONS MADE AT SOCIAL EVENING Two officers of the Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade who recently retired from active service were the guests at a social evening given by the brigade in the Excelsior Hall on Saturday evening. They were Chief Fire Officer A. Wyatt and Deputy Chief Fire Officer W. Geayley. Mr Wyatt has had 32 years’ service and Mr Geayley 27 years’. Those present included the Mayor and chairman of the Lyttelton Urban Fire Committee (MrF. G. Briggs) and Mrs Briggs, Mr T. Crayther, Deputy Dominion Chief Fire Service Officer, and the representatives of most of the fire brigades in North Canterbury. They were welcomed by Chief Fire Officer S. Carson, and bouquets were presented to Mrs Wyatt and Mrs Geayley by Mrs Gladys Boyd, a member of the fire committee. On behalf of the brigade, Mr Carson presented Mr Wyatt with a chiming clock and Mr Geayley with a set ot bowls and case. Mr Carson expressed the appreciation of members of the brigade for the long and efficient service given by Messrs Wyatt and Carson.

Mr Briggs, on behalf of the Lyttelton Urban Fire Committee, presented an armchair to Mr Wyatt and a cheque to Mr Geayley. Every citizen of Lyttelton, said Mr Briggs would join him in appreciation of the sterling work done by the two officers.

Mr Crafer, representing the Central Fire Council, Wellington, expressed appreciation of the work of Mr Wyatt and Mr Geayley in the fire service of Lyttelton. The backbone of the whole of the fire service in New Zealand was the volunteer fire brigades, said Mr H. O’Reilly, who represents the Underwriters’ Association on the Lyttelton Fire Committee. Honorary life members' medals were presented to Messrs Wyatt and Geayley by Mr Briggs. Musical items were given by Messrs T. Austin, E. J. Dowell and A. J. Franklin.

Mr Wyatt joined the Lyttelton brigade on June 14, 1923. and nine vears ago was appointed Chief Fire Officer. In his 27 years’ service, Mr Geayley has attended all the major fires in Lyttelton.