FIRE BRIGADE REUNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 26 October 1934, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADE REUNION.

42nd ANNUAL FUNCTION.

The 42nd annual reunion of the Feilding Fire Brigade was hold last night, a full attendance of members being ■ present, together with visitors from the Palmerston North, Levin, Foxton, Huntervillo and Marton brigades. Mr W. E. Carthew chairman of the Feilding Fire Board, presided and associated with him at the official table were the Deputy-Mayor (Mr A.

C. McCorkindale) members and cxmembers of the Feilding Fire hoard, Superintendent O. C. Sporle and the town clerk (Mr C. H. Tate). Following the loyal toast the report was read by Secretary H. It. Fitzgerald as follows:—“I again have to refer to the very satisfactory resillts achieved by the brigade, under Superintendent Sporle. Notwithstanding the-fact that 33 per cent of the calls were dealt with by the superintendent and the station squad, the musters were most satisfactory, the average attendance at all parades being 85 per' cent, of the brigade’s strength. The I brigade received 10 calls, including chimney and rubbish fires. The estimated value of property involved was £4002, which was covered by insurance amounting to £2750. The estimated loss by fire and water was £772, which was covered by insurance amounting to £660, showing a loss to property owners of £112.” The brigade’s finances were in a fairly healthy condition despite the present financial stringency. This satisfactory state of affairs was mainly due to the generosity of the Fire Board coupled with the loyal support of the brigade honorary members. During the year the usual two events were competed for, the Fire Board’s challenge cup being annexed by Fireman Allsop, while ex-Superin-tendent Newman’s challenge cup and gold medal were won by Fireman Tricklebank. I Continuing, Mr Fitzgerald staled (that, owing to lack of funds for the purpose, the brigade was unable to send a delegate to the U.F.B.A. Conference at Hamilton this year, but Feilding was represented by proxy by Deputy-Superintendent Brocklebank, of Stratford. One of the matters discussed at the conference was the proposed scheme for the establishment of a Dominion Fire Board, which had for its object centralised control. A keen discussion ensued and delegates, by a large majority, registered their objection to the scheme when-the vote was taken.

Concluding, Mr Fitzgerald said tliat the brigade was deeply indebted to Mr Rohertshaw and to Messrs Hodder and Tolley for donations; to honorary members for subscriptions; to the Feilding Fire Board, for the social grant; to the general public for its moral support; and to the Press. On behalf of the officers he thsnked members for their co-operation in all matters appertaining to the welfare of the service and the brigade.

The report was adopted. The first toast was that of the “Feilding Fire Board,” which was proposed by Superintendent Sporle. The speaker said that in his 13 years of service under the board all his requests had met with consideration and he could not wish to serve under better officials. Their first care was tlie welfare of the brigade and the men greatly appreciated this. , Replying, the chairman thanked Superintendent Sporle for liis remarks regarding the board’s interest in the brigade. Mr Carthew went on to trace the constitution of the hoard

and the wherewithal of its finances, stating that it cost about £750 yearly to maintain the brigade. In Mr Sporle and his men the chairman knew the board was well served, and he assured them that all their requests would receive the fullest consideration always. Fireman Thompson proposed the health of “The Feilding Borough Council,” paying a tribute to the work of the council both for the town and the brigade. Responding, Mr A. C. McCorkindale i apologised tor the absence of the | Mayor (Mr C. F. Taylor) and thanked the gathering for its cordial acknowledgement of the toast. The council recognised to the lull the | value of the Feilding brigade and in this connection lie made reference to the remarkably low fire loss the town suffered through the activities of the brigade. The council had done its utmost to give the brigade an efficient water supply to cope with fires, the speaker referring at this stage to the extol - ts made to have the insurance classification of Feilding lowered as a result of the splendid average water pressure shown over a period of test, liie first effort in this direction had not been successful, but it was hoped that this would not be the case -when the claims of Feilding were renewed, Mr McCorkindale concluded. At this stage the chairman referred to the presence of Mr C. H. Tate (secretary of the Fire Board) Sergeant Angland and Dr Phillips (lion surgeon) at the gathering and called on Supei intendent Sporle to welcome them on behalf of the brigade Mr Sporle, in an appropriate welcome mentioned the friend the brigade had in the secretary of the board and also drew attention to the fact that anion" the visitors were Messrs A. Sutton and , ■ , smith, both ex-members' of the board, who had been staunch supportcis of the brigade during their period of office. Die health of the persons mentioned was toasted with musical honors. The recipients of the toast briefly acknowledged the remarks made on their behalf.

Ihuman A. Walls (Foxton) proposed the toast of “The N.Z. Fire Brigades’ Association,” the speaker, alludmg to the fact that the association was the parent and guide of all affiliated brigades throughout the Dominion and without its good offices the requests put forward by the various brigades would not get very far. The appreciation by the brigadesmen of service honours Air Walls considered was one matter in which the association’s efforts had been in the best interest of brigade efficiency.

The toast was replied to by Secretary H. R. Fitzgerald who also drew on his knowledge of the association’s activities in the interests of brigades in acknowledging the toast. Mr Fitzgerald assured the gathering that the association was always ready to assist brigades in tlieir work. Other toasts honoured were “The I'eildmg Fire Brigade,” “Honorary Alembers,” “Visiting Firemen,” “The Entertainers,” “The Ladies,” and “The Press.”

During the toast list, vocal items were rendered by Messrs L. AVoods and A. Levy; Mr Flowers, Palmerston North, entertained with ventriloquism ; Mr C. Simmons, violin solos; Durie Bros., orchestral items. The accompanists were Messrs Palmer and A. Thompson. An important function of the evening was the presentation of service honours which were handed by the chairman to the following:—Superintendent Sporle, total service, 23 years 3 months, bar; Deputy-superintendent 0. Fade, 11 years 8 months, bar; Sen-ior-foreman S. Gaskin, 11 years 8 months, baa 1 ; Junior foreman B. Turner, 15 years 8 months, bar. Bars were also presented to the following firemen : Messrs P. Fisher (19 years 5 months); W. Towler (18 years 5 months); J. Osborne (11 years 10 months); T. Tricklebank (9 years 5 months); L. Mansell (8 years 0 months); F. Dodgers (9 years); A. Packer (7 years 11 months); L. Trass (7 years 0 months). Five years medals were awarded to the following firemen : Messrs C. Sugar (0 years 7

| months); L. A. Bould (0 years 5 months); G. Packer (6 years); A. Alsop (5 years); A. J. Thompson, 3 years certificate. Fire Board’s challenge cup : Fireman A. Alsop. Ex-superintendent Newman’s challenge cup and medal: Fireman T. Tricklebank. At the call of Superintendent Sporle the brigadesmen gave cheers for the Feilding Fire Board for presenting the honours instead of the brigade having to purchase them out of its funds.

firm and staff wished him every sue- '& i cess in the future. The recipient of the gifts suitably replied, j At the opening of the Dannevirke j Bowling Club’s green on Wednesday i afternoon a rink .from the Bedding ' Club—Duncan, Barltrop, Finlay, l)iun- * mer (skip) defeated a home rink by j 30—13