FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2451, 8 July 1922, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE.

Representatives of the local Fire Brigade who visited Levin on Wednesday evening to participate in the Levin Brigade’s annual soeiel spent a thoroughly enjoyable social time and by interchange of ideas with representative fire-fighters gained much information which should be of value to the local brigade in its initial stages.

Superintendent C. E. Shaw pre--ided. and the visitors included Inspector Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades of the Dominion, the chairman (Mr F. G. Cray), and members of the Levin Fire Board, members of the Palmerston Brigade, the Mayor (Mr Matheson), and representatives of the Borough Council, Chamber of Commerce, School Committee, Friendly Societies, besides a strong number of local firemen ’and honorary members of the Brigade. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem, and a very pleasing programme of toasts and songs followed.

Mr F. G. Cray, chairman of the Levin Fire Board, in replying to a toast paid a tribute to old volunteer firemen, who entered the work for the love of it. / That was the right spirit and he y hoped that spirit would long continue. Mr Cray referred to the formation of the local Fire Board and said he.had the authority of Inspector Hugo for saving the Levin fire station was one of the best equipped for its size in the Dominion. It had been said that since the Fire Board had been formed fires had practically ceased in Levin. If that was sq then the formation of the Board had been more than justified. Fire loss, he said, 'was a national loss, and every endeavour possible should he made to avoid it.

Fireman Frenchling proposed “The Visitors,” and pleasure at seeing so many? present, and especially Inspector Hugo and members of the Foxton and Palmerston brigades. In reply, Inspector Hugo gave an interesting address on fire matters, remarking that last year was one of the worst, if not the worst, in the history of fires in New Zealand, the insurance levy amounting to over 10/- per head of population. The Mayor said as regards the Borough Council and its policy regarding the Fire Board and Brigade, if was summed up in two words: Confidence and co-operation—con-fidence in the Board and Brigade, and co-operation when it came to paying the levy it was due. The .levy was really a small one when it was spread over the whole of the borough. He referred to Foxton’s joining up with the Fire Board system/ and was sure they were acting in the right wav, as the Board system was undoubtedly the right- one. Mr Smith, of the Foxton Fire Brigade, spoke on behalf of the local brigade. . At the conclusion of the social, the visiting members were shown over the station and had the working of the alarm system explained to them.