VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 November 1925, Page 7

VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS.

KAPONGA BRIGADE. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Kaponga Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the station on Wednesday evening. The superintendent (Mr A. MelviPe) occunied the chair, Mr J. S. Stevens presiding during the election of officers. , , Reviewing the year s work, the (Superintendent said that only on three occasions had the brigade been called out to fires, and in each instance the brigade had been able to quell the outbreaks before extensive damage was done. A team of .four, including the superintendent, Deputy-superintendent J. Tyack, Foreman W. Scanlon, and Fireman A. Martin, had represented the brigade at the-N.Z, United Fire Brigades’ annual demonstration in Christchurch, and had competed in five events. Though not among the top placed competitors, the team had given creditable performances and had gained a lot of experience, which was of great value to the brigade. Practices had been held throughout the year, and members were to he commended on the keen interest displaved in the. work. Owing to departures from the district, the services of five members had been lost during the year, and though a similar number of new members had been enrolled, the brigade was still two below its full strength. New equipment procured during the year included a number of new axes, but to add to the efficiency of the equipment it would further be necessary to procure a certain amount of new hose The superintendent was pleased to be able to ,report that the brigade’s finances were in a satisfactory condition, the balance-sheet disclosing a substantial credit. This was mainly the result of the very succesfu! queen carnival organised during the early part of the year with the object of raising financial assistance and brigade members wished to express their sincere appreciation of the efforts made by the winning queen candidate, Miss G. Hislop, the other candidates, the Misses M. Evans and A. Martin, the committees who worked in the respective interests and the general public for the generous support given. The splendid response given throughout the various functions jn connection with the carnival and the sympathetic interest thus evinced in the work of the brigade had proved very encouraging to members, who the superintendent pointed out devoted much time and attention to practice in order that they should be as efficient as possible when their services were required. The brigade also wished to extend thanks for the support given' on the occasion of the benefit social tendered to the wife and family of the late Fireman Hart, of Eltliam. The appeal had been made in conjunction with the efforts °f the Taranaki United Fire Brigades’ Association, and os a resu't the-brigade had been able to hand over a small amount to add to the general fund. BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet showing a credit of £74 5s 5d was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Superintendent, Mr A. Melville (ree’ected); Deputy-Superintendent, Mr. J. Tyack (re-elected); first foreman, Mr W. Scanlon (re-elected) ; second foreman, Mr P. Thou mine; first branchman, Mr R. Pascoe; second branchman, Mr H. Hawke ; first hydrantman, Mr J. Scanlon; second hydrantman, Mr Blackwell; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Scanlon (re-elected) ; hon. auditor, Mr G. P. Cook (re-elected). Suitable responses were delivered bv the elected officials. Expressing his aprecipation of the manner in which the accounts had been kept, the auditor (Air Cook) said that his duties had been greatly minimised, owing to the efficiency displayed by Deputy-Superintendent Tyack in attending to the secretaria 1 duties, and he considered that some suitable recognition of the able services rendered by the secretary should be given. Further remarks were passed complimenting the secretary on his work throughout what had been an unusually exacting period, and in conclusion a vote of thanks was passed and an honorarium of £5 5s was. voted to the secretary. EXHIBITION DEMONSTRATION. In connection with the demonstration being held at the Dunedin exhibition in March it was decided to send a- team of three, excTieive of the delegate to the conference, to represent the brigade. Deputy-Superintendent Tvack, First Foreman W. Scanlon, and First Branehman Pascoe were chosen provisionally that they could make arrangements for the necessary leave of absence from their respective vocations. The appointment of a delegate to represent the brigade at the conference was left to a later date. Vote s of thanks to the chairman (Mr J. Stevens) the auditor and all outgoing officers concluded the meeting.