IN LIGHTER VEIN

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 155, 29 March 1937, Page 5

IN LIGHTER VEIN

Fire-fighters Enjoy Smoke Concert Having disposed of the more serious business of the assembly, delegates to the United Districts Fire Brigades’ Association conference met in lighter veiu on .Saturday night when they were the guests of the Lower Hutt Volunteer Fire Brigade at a complimentary smoke concert.

Following the Royal toast, DeputySuperintendent 11. Collinges (Taihape) proposed the toast of the United Fire Brigades’ Association. While there were times when they did not entirely a'.r.'" with the mother body, he said, they were always happy to co-operate. Replying, Superintendent It. I’. WakeJin (Carterton) acknowledged that the United Fire Brigades’ Association filled a distinct want to those in the lire service.

Deputy-Superintendent, J. J Doran (Lower Hutt), proposing the toast of tiie United Districts Fire Brigades’ Association, said there were still two or three brigades that there not in the association. The way the secretary was working, however, he did not think it would be long before they would be members.

The united districts association was one of the strongest in New Zealand, said Fireman L. Martin, Petone, a past president. in response to the toast. If this was not the case in numbers, it was in the strength of the brigades. The fine reputation attained by the association was due to the loyal co-operation of the various brigades that belonged to the association.

The line association between the fire brigade and the borough council was referred to by Fireman W. J. Drieherg. Lower Hutt, in proposing the toast of the Lower Hutt Borough Council. Other brigades functioned effectively under boards, but the Lower Hutt brigade was happy to he under the borough council, he said. They had a good council and received really good treatment when a reasonable request was made. There was one thing the brigade desired, however, and that was a six-inch main at the recreation ground so that they could conduct a demonstration.

The mayor, Mr. J. W. Andrews, said that as a council they had a good measure of pride in the town, and always endeavoured to do what they believed to be best. There was nothing they were more proud of than the volunteer fire brigade of the town. Mr. J. Ashton, chairman of the Lower Hutt Fire Prevention Committee, and Mr. J. Fletcher, borough engineer, also replied to the toast. • The toast of the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade was proposed by secretary A. S. Annand. IVaipukurau, who referred to the efficient management of the conference and the hospitality extended to the visitors. The reply was made bv Superintendent T. IV. Slinn.

Fireman N. Francis, Lower Hutt, proposed the toast of the Lower Hutt Chamber of Commerce, which was replied to bv Mr. S. Dudding, who said the chamber recognised the fine public service given by the fire brigade. Items were given by Messrs. L. Mcllbride, H. Aplin, A. Pennington, G. Kay and W. Smith.