FIRE FIGHTERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 9, 21 December 1929, Page 5

FIRE FIGHTERS

ENTERTAIN CHILDREN GAY PARTY AT HASTINGS STATION. TOYS FOR THE YOUNGSTERS. The interior of the Hastings Fire Brigade Station was a blaze of light last night and the interior of the engine room was gay with coloured streamers on the occasion of the annual entertainment by the brigade of the firemen’s wives and children and their friends at a Christmas gathering. There was a largo assemblage of children, their parents and guardians, and amongst those present were the-. Mayor (Mr G. F. Roach) and Mayoress as well as the secretary of the Fire Board (Mr Pickering) and Mrs Pickering. . Apologies were received from Mr H. M. Campbell, M.P., who found it Impossible to attend, and from the Napier members of the Fire Board, who were bound by previous engagements. Superintendent W. Keith, in opening the proceedings, welcomed the visitors, saying that he highly appreciated their attendance and their assistance in giving the children a good night’s enjoyment. The Mayor, who was also chairman of the Hastings Fire Board, was present with the May oress, and he thanked them for joining in the festivities. There was, as they could see, hanging on the wall an honours board of the Fire Brigade’s “Gold Star” mon, who qualified for that distinction, so highly priz cd and coveted by firemen, as testifying to their 25 years’ active service in the fire fighting. That board, which was presented to the Firo Brigade by little Master Dewson, who was keenly interested in the activities of Firo Brigades, notwithstanding his extreme youth, contained the names of fourteen gold star firemen, together with .their years of service, the record of the brigade up to the present being 33 years (applause). Superintendent Keith then presented the seven-years-old Master Dewson, saying that he hoped ho would grow up to be a good fireman, a hope which the assemblage endorse with their applause. His Worship the Mayor, in his address, expressed his’-pleasure at being invited to be present. Some six months ago he became chairman of the Fire Board, which brought him more closely into the details of the brigade’s operations and their social life. He realised their self-sacrifice in the work to which they devoted themselves, and in which they had the moral support of their wives, whose rest must be disturbed by the night alarms. The splendid work done by the brigade in this and in other towns throughout New Zealand, was a credit to tho firemen’s courage and devotion.

SUPT. KEITH’S SERVICES EULOGISED. Mr Roach explained that this would be the last Christmas that they would meet Superintendent W. Keith, in bis official capacity, as he would soon retire, after over 40 years’ of faithful and efficient service to the public of Hastings. Ho (His Worship) desired to take this opportunity of expressing, openly and publicly, his acknowledge ment of Superintendent Keith’s capability, earnestness and zeal in the discharge of his exacting duties, of his service as the commanding officer of the brigade, and of his character as a citizen of Hastings. Ho congratulated the firemen on their decorations in the hall, and on their organisation of the reunion (applause.)

The hall rang with the prattle and laughter of the children, and at 9 o’clock Father Christmas slid down the pole to the great awe of tho youngsters.. Father Christmas treated everyone alike, and distributed presents all round. A great Christmas Tree in the centre of the chamber was laden with toys, which were picked from the branches and became tho property of tho children. During tho evening the following programme was submitted:—Pianoforte solos, Misses Betty McCarthy, Alma Koith and Valda Tong; song, Miss Doris Price; recitations, Misses Mary and Cecilia O’Neil; Miss Kathleen O’Neil, Masters Ronald Draper, Eric Draper, Paddy Neobitt, John Tong, Los Draper and Fireman E. Henry. A merry time was spent and the party dispersed homewards at 10 p.m.