FOXTON NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 739, 22 June 1923, Page 6

FOXTON NOTES.

OPENING OF FIRE STATION

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

On Wednesday afternoon the local fire ;tat-iou was officially opened when the building' was thrown open to the public and inspected by a number of local residents. In the evening a social was _ tendered to tbo brigade and Levin visiting hrigadcsinen. Owing to the station not. yd being properly furnished, tbo evening was held at local tea-rooms. There were some 40 members present. Tbo members of the Fire Board (Messrs Cray, Rowe, Irving, Hornblow, Smith and .Bryant and the secretary(Mr R. Rangihcuca), Messrs West, Hews, and Inspector Hugo, together with other local citizens, were also present. A number of apologies for absence were also received. The chairman of the hoard (Mr Hornblow) in a few remarks opened the evening. The table was heavily laden with good things and presented a very festive appearance. During the evening songs and recitations were rendered by the following; Messrs Head, Carter, Cray, Irving and Hornblow. The first toast honoured was that of “The King,” proposed by the chairman. ... r Mr Cray, in proposing the toast ol “Inspector Hugo,” said that he was pleased to meet such a body of men as constituted the local volunteer brigade and said he wanted to keep in touch with them always. He outlined the work of the board and *aid that, although the station was not furnished yet, the hoard would do its best to make it comfortable for the four men who were to take up residence there. He hoped in the near future that they would have a billiard table. Inspector Hugo thanked the speaker tor iiis remarks and said that he had been connected with lire brigades all his life, the Foxiou Fre Board had done more work in 12 months than any other board in. New Zealand. Ho also referred to ihe necessity for fire prevention and the great national loss sustained by Now Zealand each jcai 03 fire. He said 90 per cent of the lues oc* furring in New Zealand were due tq preventable causes, in referring to the brigade he said that men who joined should bo enthusiastic and help themselves. The toast of the “Borough Council was then proposed by Mr Irving, coupled with the names of Messrs Smith and Bryant, Both suitably replied. Mr Barker (Levin) proposed the toast of “Fire Boards.” Mr Smith proposed the toast- of Architect and contractor,” and referred to the business-like and good manner in which the work had been carried out. In replying to the toast on behalf of nimeelf and Mr Orr, who was absent. Mr E. V. West gave the gathering a little history of the B huerston North brigade. He said his father had been one of the prune movers in the starting of that brigade a great many years ago. 'i hey then had one helmet between them, an old manual pump and four sumps in the Square to work with. The sumps supplied the water, the t almersloii brigade had made some piogtess since then. He said as a ratepayer and citizen he was in favour of hire Boards. ■j?e said that the Palmerston North lire station was now almost too small to accommodate their needs. He also referred to Mr Orr and said that he had made a good job of the station and had done it well to time. , Superintendent McDonald proposed the toast of “Kindred Brigades’ coupled with the names of Messrs MeTaggart and Young, jjoth replied and thanked the brigade foi the invitation to be present. The toast- of the “Press by Mr t ray brought a close to a very pleasant evening and 'to which Mr Hornblow replied. During the evening ‘Mr Hornblow presided at the piano. „ The singing of “Auld Dang oyne brought a close to the evening.