ELTHAM FIRE BRIGADE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 July 1928, Page 6

ELTHAM FIRE BRIGADE

ANNUAL meeting. There was a good attendance of firemen and the public at the annual meeting of the Eltluun Eire Brigade held last evening. Superintendent ill. A. Nu'ttal 1 occupied the eili'air. Included among the public present were: T.he Mayor of Elltham (-Mr I. J. Bridger), Mr E. If. 'Thomas (cbairai'an of the Elt ham Eire Board), Mr W. Waters (town clerk), iCbuneillors J. O ’'llagcn and It. L. Garden, and Mr .A. E. Lethbridge (borough inspector). ANNUAL REPORT.

Superintendent 11. A. Nuttall submitted his annual report as follows: — I have the honour to present my twenty-sixtn annual report of the working of your brigade for the year ended June 30,- 1928. 'This year has been a very good year as far as finance is concerned. The brigade lias a credit balance of £2B. 'Considering the heavy calls that have been met by t-he brigade this year, the position at present is a very healthy one. Fires;. —As regards* ..fires, we have had only seven calls’, mostly dwellings, except for the old West End Boarding House, which was gutted some three years ago, 'and this'time was a total loss. The other six were extinguished before 'the fire assume!} any proportions, consequently the total amount of fire loss nas 7>een assessed at £IBOO. The total insurance on buildings and contents affected amounted to £4675, making a -saving to insurance companies of £3395. Fortunately the brigade received timely warning in most of 'these fires, and in every instance, each call was met with a prompt turn-out by the brigade and in almost every ease, the brigade made excellent saves. The personnel of the brigade has been kept up to its usual strength, and the drill at practices has been of a very high order, every member taking, the usual keen interest in the welfare of the brigade and the brigade’s work. The total musters for the year were, 87. Four members have attained full musters: BeputydSuperintendent M array, First Foreman Gleii'tworth, Second Foreman Philpobts, and Fireman I>. Gydc. This, I believe, constitutes a record for the brigade. I have at this stage to congratulate my brigade on having secured fiftv-six honorary members. This also constitutes a, record for the brigade. By this effort avc have added to our finances to the amount of £3O. This factor alone was- one of the means of making our ball such a financial success.

The competition held during the year was the Stratford challenge shield, which was lost by a very small -m'argin. The local competitions held during the year, consisting of championship cup and gold medal, was Avon by Fireman A. M. Burrows, Avho put up a remarkable performance by winning against all Competitors. The 'CressAvell Cup was Won by Fireman A. Cooper. The Fake iOup was Avon bv Fireman L. Necs.

Two men double coupling Avas Avon by Deputy-Superintendent Murray and Fireman L. Cooper. ’Five years’ sciwiee medal will be presented at the annual meeting to Fireman Xr. Julian; -two years ’ service bar to Fireman Page, making a total of se\ T en years’ service; also a 2-year bar

to Fireman W. 'Tlffrnblow, making a total of 13 years. Tavo gold stars, 25 years’ service, will be presented at the end of this year fio Fireman A. M. Burrows and Deputy-'Superintendent Murray. In conclusion, my 'brgado have to thank all those who so generously assisted by way of donations and’refreshments to our ball, and to their efforts we attribute the great financial success of our 1928 annual ball. I also Avis'll to thank 'all officers and men for their loyalty and good fellowship during the year, also to the Fire Board for the assistance and consideration they have extended to the brigade during this year as in previous years. THE BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet shoAA r cd ith'a’t, commencing the year with a credit balance of £BO Os 9d, the receipts had been built up to £122 4s. Expenditure for the year totalled £94 2s 7d (of which £35 Avas absorbed in the purchase of medals and gold stars), leaving a credit balance of £3B Is sd. The secretary explained that the sum of £44, proceeds o’f the annual ball, Avhihh also carried a subsidy of £lO from the Fire Board, had to be added to the balance shoAAoi, thus bringing the balance Carried forAA'ard up to £B3 Is sd, or a less of only £4 5s 4d on the year’s operations, notAvithstanding the heavy expenditure incurred in the purchase of medals and gold stars. Congratulatory reference to the excellent Avork and satisfactory position of the brigade was made by the Mayor, the chairman of the Fire Board and the town clerk.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Superintendent said the brigade had much to be thankful fore in the generous treatment extended by the Fire Board and the publie of Eltham, whose continued support was sufficient evidence that the efforts of the brigade were justified and fully appreciated, die regretted •the impending departure from Eltham of Firemen L. Page land L. 'Cooper and wished them success in their new spheres of life. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Officers 'for the ensuing year Averc elected as follows:—

First Foreman, Fireman Glentworth; second foreman,-Fireman Phil pofit; sec. rclary and treasurer, Fireman Libe'au; standing 'committee, . all the 'foregoing officers and Firemen Burrows and Gydc; honorary surgeons, Drs. Saunders and Crawford; auditor, Mr W. Waters. * TROPHIES AND DECORATIONS

Trophies Avon by •members during the past year and iservicc bars were presented by the superintendent, Avho made complimentary reference to the sustained actn-ity and interest manifested by the respeetiove recipients. In addition, Fireman Page Avas presented with a tobacco pipe as a memento, from his fellow firemen', of his long and honourable connection with the brigade. At the conclusion of the meeting a social hour was spent to mark the close of another successful year.