VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 61, 7 August 1944, Page 2

VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Kaikoura A’olunteer Fire Brigade took place at the Drill Hall on Thursday night, those present being Superintenden S. T. Allan Foreman H. Hayward, Assistant Foreman B. Norrie, Firemen R. 8. Allan, A. Trudgian, L. G. Garratt, A. Oldman, Al. Rayner, N. Alason, J. Sjoberg, C. Taylor, T. Drabble (secretary), Al.essenger L. Garratt, Alessrs A. B. Clark and J. Assaf. Apologies for absence were received from Deputy-Superintenden H. A. Harrison, Alessrs F. J. Monk, D. Af. Jack, and T. O’Donnell. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET.

In his annual report the Superintend ent stated that the membership of the Brigade was nearly up to normal, there being 14 mjembers on the roll. Twelve of the Brigade’s members were in the armed forces, mostly overseas, and letters were occasionally received from these men. Work through the past year had been carried out well and in perfect harmony. The equipment of the Brigade is in good order, and stocks of hose and equipment are in good supply. The Brigade has J2ooft of hose, of which 300 ft is in new condition, 300 ft in good order, and 600 ft in fair order. The Brigade was fortunate enough to be alloted a trailer pump on loan froiq the Government stock. This is fully equipped and is supplied with 1000 ft of hose. The equipment should prove a great asset to the district, as water can be boosted from the mains or pumped from creeks or lagoons. A bucket pump fitted with 30ft of hose and a two-gal-lon foam type extinguisher have been purchased and these should prove 'useful. During the past year only one major fire had occurred, but as the building was nearly g’utted before the alarm was given the brigadesmen could not make much of a save. The dry summer was accompanied with the ’usual grass and scrub fires. Owing to travel restrictions there was no conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association this year. Two Kaikoura teams competed at the Sub-Association demonstrations held in Nelson, and Kaikoura ran into third place for the championship with eight competing. The Brigade is hoping for better results this year. The Superintendent thanked members of the Telephone Exchange staff for valuable assistance, the County Council for its co-operation and assistance, and the Kaikoura Star for publicity, also his fellow officers and brigadesmen for their co-operation. The balance-sheet showed the income to have been £3O 10/11 (including balance brought forward of £36 7/5), and the expenditure £46 0/5, leaving a balance of £4 10/6. The Entertainment and Uniform Account showed a credit to the extent of £72 5/7.

Assets were set down at £236. The President explained that this year they had not held a ball, hence the receipts had suffered; The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICER'S.

The following officers were elected:— Patron, Air F. J. Alonk; Superintendent, Air S. T. Allan; Deputy-Superin-ent, Air H. A. Harrison; Foreman, Air H. Hayward; Assistant Foreman, Air B. Norrie; Secretary, Air T. Drabble; Assistant Secretary, Air J. Sjoberg; Auditor, Mr G. G. Newton. GENERAL. A letter of appreciation was requested to be sent to the Kaikoura County Council for assistance rendered; to the Postmaster asking him to convey the Brigade’s appreciation of the services rendered by the Telephone Exchange staff. Thanks were passed to the Press for publicity, and the members of the Brigade for their co-opera-tion. • Air Hayward referred to the approaching demonstration to be held at Blenheim, remarking that it appeared to him that there would be difficulty in securing more than one team, and emphasised the necessity for those intending to compete to go into active training. The Superintendent said that training was very necessary, and helped brigadesmen considerably, as the men must get used to the feel of the gear. Eight of the brigadesmen present agreed to take part in the demonstrations. Foreman Hayward was appointed to act as coach, and the Superintendent and Coach empowered to select the representatives. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the business, and mipper was then served.