TERRACE END FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7632, 26 January 1903, Page 4

TERRACE END FIRE BRIGADE.

I The lire brigadesmen of Palmerston generally do things well, and ;' the ceremony of opening their I branch station last evening was no 1 exception to the rule. The guests of the Brigade, the representatives ,of the Borough Council, were treatled with great hospitality. The I eel-room of the compact little station had been transformed into a small banquet hall, where an exceptionally pleasant evening was spent. The new station, to be known as Auxiliary Station No. 2, or Terrace End Station, is situated on the south side of the railway line between Scandia-street and Terrace-, street. The building contains a station-room proper, 19ft by 25ft with 12ft studs. Oft this is a bedroom for a brigadesman, and to the rear are the living compartments for the custodian—a sitting-room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. All the rooms are of com- i fort-able size and are well finished. Outside the. building presents a neat appearance. The firebell, which is situated opposite, is to be removed lo alongside the station. The Borough Council purchased the land on which the station stands, and the building cost £269, of which £250 has been given by the Council, and the balance will he paid out of the Prigade's funds, that is unless the Council again comes to its assistance. The plant is to consist of an up-to-date reel, ladders, hydrants, &c, everything necessary,' in fact, to deal with any ordinary fire which may occur in the scattered ] locality of Terrace End. At the opening ceremony Superin- j tejident Tingey presided, and among I the guests wore Councillors Ed- j wards, Haydon and Copeland, and Mr Carson, the builder. ] Superintendent Tingey briefly outlined the history of the station. He said that when it was at last proved that a station was necessary, the Borough Council rose to the occasion and voted the necessary money. Superintendent Tingey expressed the gratitude of the Brigade to the Council for the manner in which they had responded to the appeal of the Brigade on different occasions. The Brigade was a purely voluntary one, and the only reward its members received were the thanks of their fellow-townsmen, and sometimes their abuse. Palmerston had progressed by leaps and bounds, and with it the Brigade, for those in authority had always assisted them iv securing the most modern plant. \Vhilo travelling* through New Zealand lie was invariably told by the local brigadesmen that in regard to Fire Brigade work tho public and the people responsible were absolutely dead. In some cases the men had actually to purchase appliances out of thenown pockets. For the last fifteen years however, the Palmerston Brigade had done well, and they had to thank the gentlemen responsible to the ratepayers for it. The insurance companies had taken this into consideration, and had reduced their premiums to the lowest nossible rate. * Cr Haydon, Chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee ol the Council, work they had done. To carry out their duties they required strength, congratulated the Brigade on the manhood and pluck, and he was glad to know the men of the Palmerston of songs and recitations was givpn Cr Edwards also eulogised the work of the Brigade. He complimented the Brigade on having the confidence of the Council, which he was sure they would continue to retain. These remarks were supported by Cr Copeland. 1 A brief toast list was gone through, and an enjoyable program by the Brigadesmen and their friends.