KAPONGA FIRE BRIGADE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 November 1924, Page 4

KAPONGA FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The eleventh annual general meeting of the Kaponga volunteer fire brigade was held on Thursday evening. Mr. J. Stevens was voted to the chair and presided until after the election of officers, when he was succeeded by the brigade superintendent. ANNUAL REPORT. Presenting a verbal report, the hon. secretary (Deputy-Superintendent J. Tyack) referred to the keen regret felt over the loss of the late Fireman R. R. Bartlett, who had been a member of the brigade for a period of eight years. The brigade had paraded at tbe funeral and supplied the pall-bearing party. The loss of another valued member had been sustained owing to the departure from the district of ex-Deputy Superintendent W. Des Forges. As a mark of the esteem in which he had been held throughout his eleven years of service the brigade had assembled at a farewell gathering, arranged prior to his departure, at which a suitable presentation had been made.

During the year the brigade had not been called out, but regular practice j had maintained a good standard of efficiency, and members were to be '' commended upon the keen interest dis- J played in the work. Foreman J. Tyack , had been appointed as successor to the ex-deputy superintendent. Five new members had'been .enrolled, but there still remained one vacancy to be filled to bring the brigade up to full strength. A team of five representing the brigade had taken part in various events at the demonstration held at Patea in February, under the direction of the Taranaki District United Fire Brigades’ Association, .and although not amongst the placed competitors they had given creditable performances, which augured well for success on future occasions. Deputy-Superintend-ent Tyack and Firemen W. Scanlon and R. Pascoe had been selected to represent the brigade at the New Zealand United Fire Brigades’ demonstration, to be held at Christchurch in March, 1925. During the winter months a series of card parties held in the Town Hall had achieved financial results which had appreciably benefited the brigade funds, and thanks were due to those members of the public who had supported the functions. BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet, disclosing a small credit balance, was adopted after a brief discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: Superintendent, Mr. A. Melvile (re-elected) • deputy-superintendent, Mr. J.. Tyack (re-elected); first foreman, Mr. W. Scanlon; second foreman, Mr. L. Shepherd; first branchman, Mr. P. Tboumine; second branchman, Mr. R. Pascoe; first hydrantman, Mr. H. Hawke; second hydrantman, Mr. C. Evans; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Tyack (re-elected); auditor, Mr. G. P. Cook (re-elected). Suitable responses were delivered by the elected officials. GENERAL. The superintendent expressed regret concerning the comparatively small attendance of the public at the meeting.

While he felt sure that the sympathy of the whole community was undoubtedly accorded the brigade in its work, h&. said that the interest which would be evinced by a good attendance at the annual meeting would prove very encouraging to brigade members, who throughout the year devoted considerable time and effort to' practice, so that should their services be required they would be able to give the best within their power. .At the same time

he wished to express the brigade’s sincere appreciation of the public support given to the social functions held under the auspices of the brigade during the year. Referring to the representation of the brigade at the New Zealand demonstration in Christchurch, the superintendent explained that the visit would entail considerable expense to the brigade, which would be requried to defray living expenses incurred by its representatives whilst in attendance. There was also to be considered the forthcoming conference of the Taranaki United Fire Brigades’ Association, t 6 he held at Kaponga in February next, in connection with which a certain amount .of expense would be involved in entertaining the visitors. He suggested that with the object of securing the required financial assistance a gala day and sports meeting be organised, and said he felt sure that if some such idea were adopted a worthy public response could be anticipated. The proposal met with the full approval of the meeting, it being decided to celebrate the gala day on a date to be selected during the latter part of January next The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.