UNIQUE RECORD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32706, 29 April 1946, Page 5

UNIQUE RECORD

SUPT. W. MOORE OF PAEROA

VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM IN N.Z.

Members of the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade, members of 21 visiting brigades from all parts of the province, and a representative gathering of citizens, paid tribute to Superintendent W. Moore at a function held in the Civic Hall, Paeroa, on Saturday night, to celebrate the completion by Superintendent Moore of 50 years’ service as a voluntary fire-

man. At the official table' with the guest, •of the evening were: His Worship the Mayor, Mr Ed'win Edwards, the chairman; ?of the Fire ' Council, Mi J. H. Walmsley, Deputy-Superintendent ■E. Wore- past -secretary W. Malcolm, Hon. B. C. Robbins, MjL.C., Superintendent J. Craig (Hamilton), Superintendent, A. 'Stewart. (Tauranga), Superintendent T. Anderson (Rotorua), Superintendent Follas (United Fire Brigades’ Association), Mr Geo. Avery, deputy chairman of Ohinemuri (County Council. Brigades Represented.

The following brigades were represented):—lMorrinsville, Thames, Waihi. Te Aroha, Tauranga, Opotiki, Oneliunga, Mt. Maunganui, Devonport, Rotorua, Cambridge, Mt. Wellington,. Te Puke, Takapuna, Hamilton, M'ata--mata, Whakatane’, Papatoetoe, Auckland City, Te Kuiti, Northcote, Mt. Roskill. The function took the form of a social evening and the hall had been 'tastefully decorated, and adorned with firemen’s regalia for the occasion. ’Prominent above the official table was ■a portrait of .Superintendent Moore taken some years ago when he had •completed 31 years’ service as a fire;man. 'The general comment was that .although he liadi added another 19 years’ service since this photo was •taken, he had not by any means shown ’by his appearance that he was 19 / years older. (Promptly on time' Deputyr-Superin-pendent 'E. Moore, opened proceedings by extending to one and all. a hearty welcome/ and all stood to honour the .first toast : “The King.” Fire Brigades’ Association.

Community singing led by Mr W. Pirie with Mr S. Wheeler at the piano, was a popular -item, and all joined in heartily to get .things away to a good start. The toast of . the United Fire Brigades’ Association was in the capable hands of 'Superintendent A. Stewart I Tauranga) 1 who spoke of the good work done by the. association for the brigades and ffiremeh of New Zealand.. ’

The reply was given by Hon. B. C. Robbins,, MjL.C., Who, despite his 89 years of. age, .displayed an. eloquence ;and vigoui* v which must have been the ■envy- of many of the younger members of his audience. He had _b.e en <6O years a member of the United Fire Brigades’ Association, had known Superintendent Moore ever since the had (token an. active part in'' (fire 'brigade work. He felt sure that ihe high regard in which ..Superintendent iMoore was . held by the association was equally shared by the citizens pf Paeroa and the Auckland district. The 'United Fire Bri-,-gades’ Association there to assist rail, but it was only by the. co-oper-ation of such Enthusiasts as the superintendent thaK the policy could, be put into effect. He was pleased to be associated with such a gathering and. to .pay his tribute to one whom he felt was fully, deserving of all that could . be said about ham. 'Regard of Firemen

'Humour by Mr Barney 'Grant and .Mr W. Pirie i'n- their burlesque of a fireman’s life was much appreciated. Mr .Grant concluded with a snappy little monologue, in. which several Paeroa personalities were featured' and -comment was made on Superintendent Moore’s achievement in completing 50 years’ service as a fireman. 'Songs by Mr Alf. Whisker accompanied by iM'r'S. Wheeler brought the programme to an adjournment. On resuming, opportunity was taken by Past •'Secretary W. Malcolm to read apologies and greetings which had been received. Apologies were as follows: —-‘Messrs C. N. O’Neill, G. M. Ruscoe,'C. A. Blackwood, R, L. Barley, G. P. Lamb, - G, Robbins, of 'Paeroa; Messrs R. C'aundle and N. Whaley, Waihi; Superintendent Wilton, 'Thames; and Superintendent Lingard. Morrinsville.

Greetings and congratulatory messages were read from the following:— Secretary Watts, United' Fire Brigades’ Association, Underwriters’ Association, Messrs J. Thorn, M.P., F. Martin, H. Lloyd, E. Gosper, T. Gilbert, T. Webb (Hamilton), E. Russell, Baden H'enry, Superintenden and R'oss (Hokitika), Messrs J. Hean (Riccarton), Tom Scott (Ellerslie), P. Jaspers (Nelson) and from the following brigades:—Whangarei, Helensville, Birkenhead, iWaiuku, Rangitailii Plains, Port Ahuriri, Hastings, Hawera, New Plymouth, Manaia, Palmerston North, Lower Hutt, Wellington City, Hokitika, Westport, Greymouth, Reefton, .NeW Brighton, St. Kilda and Cromwell. All paid, tribute to Superintendent Moore’s fine achievement and expressed the high regard and esteem of all firemen throughout New Zealand. Toast To Borough Council

The toast of the Paeroa B'orough Council was proposed by Deputy-Su-perintendent Moore who spoke of the splendid co-operation between the brigade and the council over a long period. In reply His Worship' the Mayor, Mr Ed'win Edwards, said that it had always been the aim of the council to ■give the brigade all that it possibly could, contingent upon fund's being available. The council was fully appreciative of the fine work the brigade Was doing and the service it was rendering to the community. ''Councillor J. H. Walmsley spoke of his association with the brigade as chairman of the iFire Council. He had found them jolly good fellows to deal with, particularly 'Superintendent Moore, , who had 1 always been willing to hand on some of the vast knowledge of fire-fighting which he had acquired over the years. IHe had been present at a function in Paeroa 25 years; ago when 'Superintendent Moore had been presented with his Gold Star for .25 .years’ service, so was particularly pleased to be present at this function which marked the completion of another '25 years’ service. Appreciation of Hundreds ■Councillor C. C. Webb expressed the appreciation of hundreds of others not present, for the services rendered by the brigade. IPaeroa Fire Brigade was a yer'y efficient unit, its members full, of! zeaL and enthusiasm. The credit for this must go in no small measure to 'Moore, who had inspired them.by his splendid example He! extended congratulations and; best wishes from his, fellow citizens .of Paerba and expressed the hope that Superintendent Moore might 'be long spared to enjoy; his retirement in the community where he had spent so much of his life and for which he had done so much. Messrs Grant and Whisker entertained with duets after ' which the supper adjournment was taken. . 'On resuming, His Worship the Mayor ..took the chair and appropriately, his first duty was to propose the toast of “The Guest of the Evening.” He spoke of the esteem'and respect in which iSuperintendent Moore was held by the citizens of Paeroa and particularly by the members of the brigade To hold office in any organisation for 50 years was no mean achievement, but when it was realised that in the brigade an officer has to be elected annually, some idea of Mr Moore’s personality could be guaged. Despite his commitments to the brigade, Superintendent Moore had' still found time to take part in many activities in the town and' had l served on the ' patriotic committee, concert "parties, athletic sports, played football; refereed football and' later had served as chairman of the Paeroa Rugby Union. One particular feature in Superintendent Moore’s- life had been the comradeship which existed between him and his family. The family ties were exceedingly close, for despite the fact that they had all reached manhood and womanhood none of the boys or girls had wanted to leave home. Superintendent Moore was now 78 years of age but he was in. good hands, and all could look forward to seeing him at many more gatherings. 'He had much pleasure in expressing to Superintendent Moore the sincere appreciation of the citizens of Paeroa for the splendid work done by him during his long period of service in the town and tendered, the earnest wish that his retirement would be a long and happy one. ’He then presented to Superintendent Moore a well-filled’ wallet, all of which had been contributed by voluntary subscription. 'When 'Superintendent Moore rose to reply the spontaneous applause was so prolonged that it was several minutes before he could be heard. He thanked everybody for the tributes 'they had' paid him. Tonight his heart

was too. full for words, but when he looked round the • room and recognised the many friends he had made, he realised that his work had been worthwhile. He had worked’ with many during years in Paeroa and it had always been a pleasure to hand on any knowledge or advice. Deeply Appreciative He mentioned the fact that in- the 1914-I'B conflict 11 out of the 12 brigade members-had gone overseas on active service three of them paying the supreme sacrifice. . < He assured all present, and the many friends, who had sent greetings, that although he was. unable to express it, he was deeply appreciative of their wishes, , The toast of “Visiting Brigades” was proposed by. Past Secretary Malcolm who took this. opportunity of thanking the superintendent, for the help given him during his 21 years’ association with Paeroa 'Brigade. - Superintendent Moore had first joined' the fire service as an auxiliary in Auckland and in I'B®9 had joined up with the Thames Brigade. But for a short period of ■ ’Superintendent some 1® months- ago, and approaching the 60 . years’ service mark. The Paeroa Brigade had conferred life membership on the (Superintendent some 18 onths ago, and looked forward to seeing him enjoy the privileges of it for many years to come.

Representatives of all brigades spoke in reply and paid their tributes to “Shorty” as he was fondly and widely known throughout fire brigades in New Zealand. There would always be a place for Superintendent Moore at any conference and they looked forward, to receiving the benefit of his advice and experience. County Tribute Mr iGeo. Avery, deputy chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, added his congratulations and best wishes from the members of the council and from' county residents. The toast of “Ex-Firemen of the Paeroa Brigade” was proposed by Fireman Alex Armour and' replied to by Ex-Fireman E. Shaw and. J. Ward and a representative ‘of the E.P.S. Auxiliary. Mr C. Sjieechley.

(Humourous items were given by Mr S. M. Hovel 1 and recitations by Fireman Houngo (Mt. Roskill). The final toast by Deputy-'Super-intendent Moore of “The Artists” and responded to by Mr Barney Gi'ant together with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a memorable evening to a close.