FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL REUNION. The annual reunion of the Feilding Fire Brigade was held at tho fire station on Saturday evening, there being a large attendance of firemen from all parts of the province. In addition the Feilding Borough Council, tho Chamber of Commerce, Municipal Band and other interested public bodies and organisations were represented. Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., was also present. Mr \V. E. Carthew, chairman of the Fire Board, presided and at the outset paid a tribute to the service of the late Fireman D. Kitchen. As a mark of respect the gathering stood in silence. Following items by an orchestra, the formal business of the brigade was attended to. The chairman tendered several apologies for absence, including one from the Mayor (Air T. L. Soddon) who is at present indisposed, a.nd Messrs H. \ r . Edgar and D. N. McCartney, members of the Fire Board.

The toast of Parliament was proposed by Air T. L. Mills and Mr Cobbe responded. “The Feilding Fire Board” was proposed by Superintendent O. Sporle, who mentioned that the reunion would probably be the last at which there would be an in dividual Fire Board to toast. He felt that the losing of such boards would be a detrimental stop. He felt the National Council, on which the United Firemen’s Association' had only one representative, was going to kill volunteer service and ho strongly regretted that the Government had seen fit to eliminate some fire boards. Air Sporle failed to see bow the efficiency shown by the volunteer service controlled by the various boards could be improved upon. The name of Mr A r . E. Smith was coupled with the toast, Mr Sporle expressing his pleasure at welcoming Air Smith back as a member of the board.

Replying, the chairman said that, with the superintendent, he had feelings of regret regarding the fate ol the boards. It was yet unknown whether the Feilding service would be controller! from Palmerston North or from Wellington. He could not see that the costs of administration and fire-fighting could be reduced by any change of control. Air Carthew took the opportunity of thanking the brigade and its superintendent for cooperation throughout the years. He felt that it would l>e the last reunion at which the board members as an administrative body would be present. Mr A. C. AlcCorkindale endorsed Air Carthew’s remarks and referred to the building in which the reunion was being held, stating that it had

been regarded as a club-room, but under Government control it would he regarded as merely a barracks. Air [smith acknowledged remarks in reference to him.

Ivir (J. H. Tate (secretary) also replied to tho toast and spoke in glowing terms of tho service of the brigade. “Tho Feilding Borough Council’ was proposed by Fireman A. Packer and responded to by Crs. V. E. Smith, A. C. AlcCorkindale and T. Burne. “The Fire Brigades’ Association” was proposed by Air H. T. Fitzgerald (secretary of the Feilding Brigade), who stated that the association was a nonpolitical body and had as its sole purpose the betterment of the brigades throughout the Dominion. Tho toast was responded to by Foreman A. S. Campbell (Marton). “Honorary Members,” proposed by Foreman T. Trieklebunk, was responded to by Mr C. M. Sargisson. At this stage service bars and medals, as mentioned in the annual report (already published) were presented by the chairman. At the conclusion of the distribution Superintendent Sporle stated that three cups had been presented by ex-members, and ho thanked them for the tangible manner in which they had shown their interest in the brigade. The toast to ex-members was proposed by Fireman T. Trass and responded to by ex-F’ire-mcn Cork ill, S. Alarston and T. Packer. “The Ladies” was proposed by Air C. H. Tate and responded to by Air H. Tolan. In proposing the Least to “Visiting Members and Firemen,” Air Sporle referred to a serious accident involving members of the Marton Brigade and asked the Marton representatives to convey his message of sympathy. The toast was responded to by Palmerston North. Marton, Levin and Huntorville representatives. Air It. Shortali responded on ljehalf of country visitors. “The Feilding Fire Brigade” was proposed by Air Carthew and replied to by Superintendent Sporle. “The Press” was proposed by Air A. C. AlcCorkindale. Air Sporle expressed his thanks to the orchestra, Mr P. Bramwell, Mr A. Levy, leader of the community singings, and local entertainers for items rendered.