EFFICIENT BRIGADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 78, 29 September 1938, Page 15

EFFICIENT BRIGADE

PETONE REUNION

LONG-SERVICE HONOURS

A feature of the annual reunion of the Petone Fire Brigade, which was held last evening, was the presentation of long-service honours. Fireman T. Williams Was awarded the gold star for twenty-five years' service, and gold bars were awarded to the following:— Foreman H. Selwood (thirty-five years' service); Fireman J. May (thirty-one years' service), and Deputy Superintendent O. Silbery (twenty-seven years' service). * . Among those present were ex-Super-intendent Lepper and ex-Captain Home, foundation members of the bri-

gacle in 1891. In proposing the toast of the Petone Fire Board, Superintendent J. P. Gaynor said thel; he had worked under different members of the board during his term of superintendent since 1916, | and all had had the interests of the | brigade at heart from the points of j view of comfort and entertairtment.iiji addition to supervising the work of the men. i , In reply, the Mayor (Mr. G. Lon- ! don), .who is deputy chairman of the board, expressed regret at the absence of the chairman (Mr.. J. Kerr), who was seriously ill. His association with the board had been pleasant. A decade ago fire boards had evolved out o£. the joint efforts of insurance companies and others. The council could help the brigade by maintaining a good water pressure. The board had every confidence in the superintendent. (Applause.) Messrs. 3\ Huggan, L. Monkman, and C. W. Miller also replied, Mr. Miller mentioning that Petone was looked on in insurance circles as a "very good field." All volunteer firemen were not as zealous as those in that district. Deputy Superintendent O. Silbery proposed the toast of the Petone Borough Council,, stressing the interest taken by the Borough Council in the brigade and the privilege, given to the brigade of using the recreation ground when practising for the competitions. The Deputy Mayor (Mr. J. C. Burns) j and Councillor J. Cumming replied, j stating that the council was proud of the record of the brigade. Councillor Cumming appealed for support of the council's loan proposal for a new grandstand on November 9. In moving the toast of honorary members and friends, Mr. J. R. Gaynor spoke of the support given to the brigade financially and in training competition teams. Messrs. E. F. Hollands and A. Anderson replied. Other toasts honoured were "Gold Star Men," moved by Mr. J. R. Gaynor and replied to by ex-Captain Home and Mr. F. Williams; "Visiting Brigades," moved by Foreman Selwood and replied to by various representatives; "Petone Fire Brigade," moved by Mr. W. G. Lodder and replied to by Superintendent Gaynor; and "The Artists." Long-service honours were presented by Mr. London as follows: — Gold star: Fireman T. Williams. Gold bar: Foreman H. Selwood, Deputy Superintendent O. Silbery, Fireman J. May. Silver bar: Firemen L. Martin, W. Davies, W. Kennedy, N. Turner, J. R. Gaynor, Motorman J. McGrath. Five-year medals: Firemen L. Packwood, B. Fleet, H. Haines, and J. Wilson, j Three-years' certificate: Motorman E. Simpson. Phare Cup, Fireman J. Hanna;! Hartley bowl, Firemen •L. Home, N. • Turner, and Motorman J. McGrath; j Gaynor Cup, Fireman L. Packwood; Billiards Cup, Fireman J. May; Snooker, Motorman J. McGrath. During the evening a number of excellent items were given by Messrs. E. Dean, J. Osborne, K. Rigby, R. Williams, J. Evans, N. Edmonds, and W. Marshall.