MANAIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 June 1926, Page 11

MANAIA.

(From Our Own Correspondent). MUNICIPAL FIRE BRIGADE. The annual meeting of the Manaia Municipal Fire Brigade was held at the station’ on Friday evening, Superintendent. G. AVhite presiding. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Commencing his report, the superintendent (Mr G. AVhite) expressed his thanks to the officers and firemen, for their good work during the year and his appreciation of the courtesy and cooperation extended. “The discipline of the brigade was well maintained,” continued the report. “The membership at present is fourteen. During the year we have received 300 ft of hose and six pairs of couplings from the Town Board. The helmets so far are not to hand. AVe have on the reel 1050 ft of drants, 3 branches and-other gear which is far too much weight for the reel to carry. A motor is the only solution of th© difficulty, and would be a great asset to the town. Lately the big manual engine was sold. During the year the brigade had attended one fire, that at the County Council yards. The plant at present is in excellent order. I wish, on behalf of the members of the brigade and self to thank the members of the Manaia Town Board for plant supplied during the year, and for consideration shown, by tlte board to th© brigade,” •

MOTOR ENGINE NEEDED. Speaking to the report and working of the brigade, the superintendent said it was most important for the brigade to have full equpiment. He urged the importance of having a motor. He stated! that he would like to see the roll number increase, though the present number of 14 was, for a town like Mauaia, very creditable. He was very much disappointed, however, concerning the small attendance of the public at the meeting. Mr A. G. Bennett congratulated the .on it® splendid results for the year.. Mauaia should be very proud of the brigade and its good l work, especially as the services were gratis. He referred to the importance of the brigade to the community, and agreed with the superintendent that its work merited greater public interest than was evinced by the comparatively poor attendance. He endorsed the superintendent’s remarks concerning a motor, andl suggested calling a. meeting to consider the matter.

The report was adopted on the motion of Fireman W. Vincent and Mr A. G. Bennett. The following office-bearers were elected : Superintendent. Mr G. White (re-elected'); deputy superintendent, Mr N. Davis (re-elected); foreman, Mr K. Murray; first hydrantman, Mr J. Reardon; second hydrantman, Mr D. Reardon; first brnnehman, Mr W. Vincent; second brnnehman, Mr Jerom9on; secretary, Mr W. Vincent (reelected'). At the conclusion, the superintendent invited all present to a social evening. A tasty supper was laid,, and the tables were attractively deco,rated! by Mrs G. White and Miss M. White,. A toast list was honoured, including “The King”; “Taranaki United Fire Brigades’ Association” (proposed by Superintendent White and responded to by Fireman W. Vincent)’: “Town Board” (Mr A. G. Bennett —Mr H. Mead); “Mauaia Municipal Fire Brigade” (Mr •T. E. Ward' —Superintendent White); “Visitors” (Mr J. Barlow —Mr T. Coleman ; “Ladies” (Fireman J. Reardon — Foreman K. Murray); “Press” (Foreman K. Murray—Messrs Laing and Cosgrove). Vocal items were given by Messrs T. Coleman. Forbes, Kimberley and Fireman W. Vincent; an instrumental duet was contributed by Superintendent G. "White and, Fireman G. White; and tales of the earlv days of Manaia. were recounted by Mr A. G. Bennett. •'