FIRE POLICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 100, 29 April 1936, Page 7

FIRE POLICE

ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT

The Wellington Volunteer Fire Police Corps, formed in 1893, continues to do excellent work in controlling traffic at large fires and assisting in salvage operations, although its scope in the past year has been restricted by the lack of major outbreaks.' Last evening was one of the few occasions on which the corps conies under public notice. The annual swearing-in of the police took place in the Wellington Rowjng Club's rooms, and the smoke concert that was associated with it was highly successful. During the evening a twenty-five years' service bar was presented lo Lieutenant F. W. Boyd. and Mr. G. W. Key (treasurer) and Mr. E. Last-Harris ■ retiring: secretary) each received a cheque. Councillor M. F. Luckie. who represented the City Council, referred to the splendid work the corps was doing in reducing fire loss. ■ Relatively few people knew the corps existed, he said, and the public-spirited work that was being done entirely without remuneration. The maximum strength-of the corps is fifty, the present complement being 23. There is a captain and deputy captain, and seven' lieutenants each have a suburban district. The smoke concert was presided over by the chairman o£ the Wellington Fire Board (Mr. N. Nelson). The following toasts were hpnoured:—"Wellington Fire Board," proposed by Deputy Captain F. J. Ballinger and replied to by Mr. Nelson: "Wellington Fire Brigade," proposed by Mr. G. W. Key and replied to by Deputy Superintendent J. Creeke; "Wellington Volunteer Fire Police,' proposed by Mr. Nelson and replied to by Deputy Captain Ballinger; "Wellington City Council," proposed .by Lieutenant W. J; Churchill and replied to by Councillor Luckie; "Wellington Free Ambulance," proposed by Lieutenant F. W. Boyd and replied to by Mr. F. Roffe. , /. . ~■■•. An excellent selection of musical and novelty items was given.