Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3484, 30 August 1937, Page 5

Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The annual meeting of the above was held at the station on Tuesday last, 24th inst. There was a good attendance of members and a number of citizens were also present. Superintendent J. Hosking appropriately welcomed those present and handed the chair over to the mayor.

The Superintendent’s annual report was as follows:—“In presenting my annual report I wish to state that wo received only throe calls during the year* and two of those would have \ been serious had they not been checked before they got a good hold. During the winter the hard frosts burst our engine but I think in future if we get a heater and place it under the engine it w ill save the same trouble again. Trophies donated by the business people were again keenly competed for and the thanks of the brigade are due to those who generously donated them. Kx-Capt Varcoo’s shield for the best aggregate in I three runs was won by Fireman J. Trevathan who put up a very creditable performance. During the year we sent a delegate to the U’.F.B.A. demonstration held at Nelson and our delegate returned with a full report of the happenings at the demonstration and conference and much benefited by his trip. Our practices and meetings were well attended during the year, in conclusion I wish to thank the members for their good work and assistance given to me during my five years of oflice and I hope that the same help and assistance will be given to our new superintendent during his term of oflice. I have to congratulate Supt. N. Campbell on his promotion and I am sure' the Brigade w ill continue to prosper under his control.”

In speaking to tho annual report the Mayor said it was pleasing to note that nothing of a disastrous nature had occurred during the past term. Ho felt that tho town was fortunate in having a brigade and equipment that could cope with anything of a serious nature that might occur. He was pleased to say there was still the good feeling existing between the brigade and the Borough Council as in tho past. The brigade was most helpful to tho citizens and town of Cromwell and he congratulated them on their fine efforts in the past. He also referred to the good work done by the former Superintendent, Fireman J. Hesking and congratulated the new' Superintendent Fireman N. Campbell, on his promotion.

Apologies were received from Mr F. Gibson, borough dayman, and ExCapt. J. S. Varcoo. At an earlier meeting of the brigade the following officers had boon elected for the ensuing year:—Superintendent, N. Campbell ; DeputySuperintendent, W. Partridge; Foreman, VV. McDonald; Junior Foreman, G. Stumbles; secretary, P. Hesking; handicapper, A. Scott; general committee, officers and Fireman J. Hosking and J. Trevathan. Service Honours wore then handed over, as follows, with full period of service shown in parenthesis:—Fiveyear Medal, Fireman J. Gibson; Twoyear Bars, Fireman J. Trevathan (23 years), secretary P. Hosking (23 year). Fireman R. On* (15 years), Fireman A. Scott (17 years), Supfc. N. Campbell (9 years), Fireman G. Stumbles (11 years).

A past presidents badge of tho Southern Districts Fire Brigades SubAssociation was forwarded by tho Association for Fireman R. Orr and this was presented by the Mayor who congratulated Fireman Orr on the honour lyestowed. Fireman Orr suitably replied. After the loyal toast, the following toasts were honoured;—“U.F.B.A.,”

proposed by Dcputy-Supt. AV. Partridge, who referred to tbo groat work dono b\ (bo parent Ikml.v on India! f of small brigades and stressed tbo need tor extending every snpjwirt to (ho Assoeialion, —Ko.spoiulod to by 1 ireman K. Orr. “Borough Council,” (Fireman A. Scott —the Mayor, Mr A. Stephens, town clerk, and dayman Taylor) ; “Newly Appointed Officers,” proposed by Fireman 7. ng who said the brigade had a fine set of new offieei-s who would be a credit to the town. He thanked the brigade for the good support accorded him during his term of office.—Responded to by elected officers. The Mayor in presenting the trophies, referred to the handsome shield presented by l.x-Capt. Varcoe and ne considered it was the most important trophy and he said he had much pleasure in presenting it this year to Fireman 1. Trevathan who had won it for the fourth time and he thought it was a very fine effort and he congratulated the winner whom he considered was a very worthy recipient. Accompanying the shield was a cup from the brigade which became the personal property of the winner. In presenting the Tidey Memorial Cup to Firemap AV- McDonald, the Mayor referred to the good feplipg apef long membership of the late Mr Tidey with the brigade and thought that the action of Mrs Tidey in presenting- ijt* Cup was a very fine one. Ho congratulated the winner and wished every success. A miniature Cup presented by Mr 1. Husking, also accompanied the Memorial Cup. T,. J. Anderson's Trophy, Fireman A. Scott; Mr J. Grant’s Trophy, Dep.Supt. W. Partridge; Mr R. Congalloa's Trophy, Fireman J- TEfpsJring; Mr A. Pearson's Trophy. £upt, N.

Campbell; Mr 1. Roberts' Trophy, "Supt. N. Campbell ; Bowies Ltd..

Trophy, Fireman J. Trevathan ; D. *■?. Jolly and Sons Ltd. Trophy. Fireman J. Trevathan; Stumbles and Sons Trophy, Foreman W. McDonald; Jelley Bros.’ Trophy, Fireman G. Stumbles; My F. Gibson’s consolation. Fireman L. Jelley. The toast of “Trophy Donors" was in the hands of Fireman Grr who said that the brigade was under a debt to the people who gave these trophies year after year. The people appreciated the services of the brigade and the brigade too was very appreciative I of the generosity of donors. Mr Pearson in replving on behalf of the donors, said that the donors only did the small part. Tie thought the townspeople were fortunate in having the services of such a fine I body of men who gave their services voluntarily. Messrs G. Stumbles, L. i Tolley and J. Roberts endorsed these 1 remarks and said that the trophies ! were given with a good spirit as they recognised the yeoman sen ice rendered 1 bv the brigade. Supt. N. Campbell, 1 in proposing the toast of the Visitors,

said they -were always pleased to see visitors present and hoped that they would continue and enjoy themselves. Messrs D. A. Cahill, W. Scott (Balclutha), R. Walker, G. 801 l (Lawrence), and D. Campbell, replied. “Trophy Winners, ” was in the hands of Fireman R Thomas who congratulated the winners and said there had been keen but friendly competition, and he thought the effort of an old member. Fireman J. Trevathan, in winniiig the shield, was a very fine one.—Firemen A. Scott, J. Trevathan, W. McDonald, AV. Partridge; J. Hosking, N. Campbell, G. Stumbles, L. Jelley, briefly replied. b ireman McCulloch, in proposing the toast of “The Ladies, ’’ said that Fireman McDonald and himself were the only free men in the brigade and he thought-it spoke volumes for the ladies who allowed their husbands to attend to fire brigade work so regularly. Fireman W. McDonald replied. In proposing the toast of “The Service Recipients,” the Mayor said that there was no doubt that much of the success of the brigade was due to these members aud he extended heartiest congratulations, 'flic various recipients suitably replied. I

The Mayor in mentioning the next toast, that of “The Press,” mentioned the loss suffered by the brigade by the death of the late Mr R. G. Varcoe. a very worthy citizen, who liad for many years recorded the affairs of the brigade and asked the gathering to stand as a token of sympathy. “The Press,” proposed by Fireman F. C. Hayes and replied to by Mr J. Muuro.

Fireman J. Hosking in proposing the toast of the Chairman, the Mayor (Mr .1. Roberts), expressed the brigade’s appreciation of Mr Roberts’ services and trusted he would be long spared to fill the position. In replying, the Major thanked the brigade for their great efforts in the past in connection with various public efforts.

Much credit was due to the efficient secretary, Fireman P. Hosking. for the prompt despatch of the business part of the programme.

A sumptuous repast, interspersed with the following items, contributed to the enjoyment of the evening:— Songs. Messrs R. Orr and R. McCulloch ; recitations, Messrs A. B. Pearson, P. Hosking, Win. Partridge, G. Stumbles, E. Hayes, and N. Campbell.