KUMARA FIRE BOARD.

Grey River Argus, 15 July 1922, Page 4

KUMARA FIRE BOARD.

w r The annual meeting of the Kumara Fire Brigade was held on Wednesday there being a full attendance of Firemen. Visitors from the Greymouth Brigade were present. After the business was transacted the Brigade adjourned to the Foresters Hall where a couple of hours were spent in music song and story, and the toast list was honoured:—“ Th.< j King. ” proposed by Capt. Me Far lane “ 1 nited Fire Brigades Association,” was proposed by Fireman Murphy, and responded to by Superintendent Clark, Deputy Superintendent Deere, ■md past president Walton, of Greymouth. “Kindred Sports” was proposed by f MacFarlane, and responded to by firemen: Johnson, Fox, and Hurren. “New Members,” was proposed by Lieut. McMullan, who said it was very gratifying for the older members to seo the great interest taken in Fire Brigade matters, by the younger members of the Brigade, who all seemed keen to carry on the good work of the lot Sal Brigade. Firemen Birk-et, McNab, Cook, and Benyon (junr.) responded. Kumara Borough.” was propose*? by Fireman Bel], who said it was a. compliment to the Brigade to have one or its oldest members—and one who wore a 25-years’ serviice star—as Mayor, and several councillors were elected from the ranks of the Brigade. The toast was responded to by the Mayor (Air W. J. Benyon , Captain MacFarlane and Fireman McNabb. Fireman Hurren proposed the “Grey Fire Brigade,” say ng that he wns pleased to welcome the visitors, anti telt sure they would enjoy themselves with the local Brig: d<*. Jt was kind of them to take an interest, and tha Kumara Brigade aj ••reciated the compliment they had paid by their presence. The toast was responded to by Firemen Clark, Deere, and S. Benyon. “Kumara Volmr or Fire Brigade” was propose*! by F eman Walton, who eomplim-ented the Kumara Firemen on the great in'.(’rest they took in their Brigade, particular! as they came forward voluntarily to carry on the good work of fire prevei ion, and he wished them every success. The toast was responded to by ' aptain McFarlane, Lieut. McMullan, nd Firemen Murphy and Bell. The toast of “The Ladies” was entrusted t<> the old st present, Bachelor (Ex-Lieu:. -Mulvihill) who said a few words upon a abject of which he confessed ignonuio. he being entirely inexperienc d in the ways of womankind. He express 1 the opinion that if there were afe young women in Parliament, instead of the many “old women” who at p: .-sent make such a mess of things, it ould be better for the country, and that whatever opinion the gentlemen present held on the subject of Home Rul . they must all be of one mind in thinking that all women should be Home rulers all tho world over. He quoted the lines of a Greek Poet:— Two Happy days a marri-ed man may praise— The day he weds his wife; the day she dies. That fact years ago had put him right off matrimony, but at present he did not believe poets to be the best judges of domestic matters! Fireman MeEnaney, in a happy speech, regretted that such an ardent admirer of “Ithe Ladies” had not long ago mustered up enough courage to subject himself to “home rule” in the matrimonial sense. He thanked all for the nice way and very charming manner in which the toast had been honoured, concluding:— “Here’s to the maid of blushing fifteen ! Here’s to the housewife that’s thrifty!

Here’s to the idle extravagant queen! Here’s to the old maid of fifty. During the evening songs were rendered by Firemen Batson, Cook, Aydon, Hurren, Murtha, McNabb, and Hunt. Air Aydon presided at the piano.