CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17250, 18 August 1916, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL SOCIAL AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDALS.

Members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade held the annual social last evening at headquarters, and the proceedings were very successful. The first portion of the evening was devoted to dancing interspersed with selections by Bloy’s Band, and a song by Fireman Stebbing. Motor-fore-man Davis and Senior Fireman Nelson were M.O.'s. Mr Williams was the pianist. Following supper, at which the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) presided, the distribution of medals and bars was made. Tho recipients of the medals were as follow:

Five years’ service medal—Fireman H. Henry, Fireman »T. Douse, Station Officers T. Robb and J. Shepherd. Two years' bar, making seven years’ service—Motor Driver G. Kirk, Foreman J. Hazard. 'Two years’ bar, making twenty-one years' service—Deputy-Superintendent Blake.

In making the presentation the Mayor congratulated the recipients on their fine records, and said that the Fire Board had increased the permanent and auxiliary staffs, and also the wages of the latter. Owing to this increase of staff, extended leave to the men had been made possible. The board had also made important additions to the plant, including the Dennis motor engine, which was able to travel at forty miles an hour. Thus, if the alarm was received early, the brigade could get to an outbreak in time to prevent serious damage. He congratulated Superintendent Warner and the brigade on their achievements, and said that in proportion to the value of the property affected by outbreaks of fire miring the year, the loss had been kept remarkably low. The local bodies around Christchurch evidently appreciated the work of the brigade, for they were now considerin'* proposals to obtain fire protection from the board.