COMMUNITY EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 51, 24 November 1941, Page 10

COMMUNITY EFFORT

Stokes Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade

NEW ENGINE INSTALLED

A splendid example of community cooperation was demonstrated in Stokes Valley on Saturday afternoon when the local brigade’s new fire engine was officially inaugurated. Just twelve months ago, the Stokes Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade was established, its sole fire-fighting equipment being a small trailer pump and chemicSl extinguishers. Today, the brigade possesses a powerful six-cylinder engine with modern pumping facilities and 300 feet of hose. The expenditure was partly raised by voluntary subscription and the work of converting a motorcar chassis into a fire-fighting machine was done without cost by members of the brigade. The pumping equipment was fitted in Wellington.

The proceedings were opened by Mr. A. J. White, chairman of the Stokes Valley Fire Brigade, who stressed the need for modern fire-fighting facilities in the district. During the twelve months since its inception, the brigade' had answered eight calls, the value of the property menaced by fire being in excess of £lO,OOO. The brigade was indebted to the Upper Hutt and Silverstream brigades for assistance and instruction given them and now the Stokes Valley brigade was prepared to assist a still younger organization—the Belmont Volunteer Brigade, which had recently been inaugurated. Mr. White pointed out that the local fire station had been doubled in size during the past few months, materials being supplied by the Hutt County Council and voluntary labour by the brigade. The county authorities had also purchased the car, and the brigade had converted it free of labour costs. The pumping equipment cost £l9O, of which £lO5 was provided by the county council, the remaining £B5 being met by the valley. The council also provided the hose. He paid a tribute to Councillor Ward Pearce who had been instrumental in interesting the county council in the project. Mr. R. L. Button, chairman of the Hutt County Council, congratulated the residents on their valley, which he considered one of the most attractive spots in the Wellington district. The county authorities admired the spirit of self-help which actuated the residents and considered it a pleasure to help them when possible. He paid a tribute to the efficiency, of the brigade. Mr. Ward Pearce, councillor for the Epuni Riding also briefly spoke and concluded the ceremonial side of the afternoon by sounding the alarm which summoned the brigade and their new engine before the assembled visitors. Mr. J. Blewman, mayor of Upper Hutt, also extended his congratulations to the district and the brigade. Side-sliows and stalls did a brisk business throughout the afternoou and the brigade’s funds were considerably augmented as a result. A noticeable feature of the stalls was that more than 90 per cent, of the toys, garden gadgets, household odds-and-ends and produce were the spare-time products of Valley residents, which were donated to the cause.