A GOOD CITIZEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 107, 1 November 1940, Page 5

A GOOD CITIZEN

MR, T\ W< SLINN HONOURED

VETERAN OF HUTT FIRE

BRIGADE

A highly-respected citizen of Lower Hutt, Mr. T. W. Slinn, who has given 35 years of service to the borough as fireman and superintendent of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, was entertained at an informal gathering of citi- ! Zens in the Horticultural Hall last even- . ing. The Mayor, Mr. J. W. Andrews, who was accompanied by Mrs. Andrews, presided, and those present included many men who had been associated - with Superintendent' Slinn in the work ■ of the brigade. -■' Colonel T. W. McDonald said he had ■ the honour of being Mayor when the brigade was formed. The council had to give great thought to the choice of "a superintendent, or, rather, captain as he was then, and it could be said without contradiction that the choice was a happy and. excellent one. A man who could give service as a volunteer for 35 years was a man who deserved to be honoured. There was need today, said Colonel McDonald, for such men to come to the aid of the country in its present struggle, and he hoped the work done by Mr. Slinn would be an incentive to the.young men of today. The speaker paid a tribute' to the self-sacrifice of Mrs. Slinn, who' had made it possible for her husband to give such service. Mr. W. T. Strand, ex-Mayor, said he was glad Mr. Slinn was having the opportunity of hearing the kindly ■thoughts which were being expressed; .he and his wife had rendered real and unselfish service to the community. The Hon. W. Nash, after paying a tribute to Mr. Slinn's service, spoke of 'the wonderful work being done by volunteer firemen in England. These taen were more in the front line than the soldiers, and they were helping, to keep, up the magnificent morale of the British-people. ■ Mr. J. W. Andrews said that in his ' 35 years in the brigade Mr. Slinn had served for 34 years as superintendent. The old stock had bred good stuff, for Mr. Slinn's son had 26 years' service in the same brigade. Mr. Andrews welcomed other old members who were present, Messrs. Warner, Stoupe, Harman, and Hazelwood, and others who had given great service under Mr. Slinn. He hoped the day would never come when the volunteer service would not be used. When the brigade was formed there were 3101 residents and 600 houses; today the population was over 21,000, and there were over 6000 houses. Mr. Slinn had materially 'assisted in that progress. Out of .1941 musters Mr. Slinn, in spite of being/ out of action for a year, had attended 1756.' Mr.. Andrews then informed the guest that the brigade had appointed him a life member, and presented him with the medal, adding also a further two "years' service bar to which Mr. Slinn was entitled.

On behalf of the Borough Council the Mayor then presented Mr: and Mrs. Slinn with a radio set, on which a silver plate carries the following inscription: "Presented to Thomas Slinn, Esq., by the Lower Hutt .Borough Council, in grateful:'. appreciation/ of 35; years' voluntary .^eryice (with the Lower (Butt-- Volunteer /Fire, Brigade, 34 years of which he served as superintendent. October 31, 1940."

In' his reply, Superintendent Slinn said he did n.ot think he had ever done '"anything extraordinary: '>'' He" had simply done the job he had taken in hand. He paid a high tribute to the men who had served under him, mentioning the late Mr. H. Baldwin, who had been secretary of the brigade and afterwards Mayor. It seemed that the brigade spirit ran in families; there had been the two Strands, the two Fleets, the two Dorans, and the two Slinns. He thanked the council for its help t6 the brigade.

Supper was served by the ladies, and during the evening Misses Peggy Milne and E. Pryde sang.