GOOD COMRADESHIP.

Northern Advocate, 15 June 1923, Page 4

GOOD COMRADESHIP.

FLK KM EX- EX 7 ERTATN ED. GUESTS OF WJLW'GAKEI FIRE BOARD. Fully SO guests, ;ire l rigadesmen, 1 ■>('•'i! busii).\vs people, visitors from Dargaville and contributors to a musical programme, sat down i;. the social hall at the Whangarei Fire Brisrade Station last evening to a dinner provided by member? of the Firo Board, ami to a subsecji:. s;t sm >l;e concert. At'tor full justice lid been done to the turkey and ham, jellies, salads and other dainties, the chairman, Mr J. S. Dent, called the mooting to order and the toast of the Xing was duly honoured. The chairman read apologies f<,r absence from Messrs Fied. Murdoch. M.P., the Hon. Francis Mander. Messrs W. .Tones, W. A. Iverr, K. E. Mo;-' 0:1. Evans, Williams, H. Vf Crawford and A. M. McLeod.

The chairman proposed the toast of the Whangarei Fire Brigade, the guests of the evening. He declared that they were a .fine body of zealous men who compared favourably with any other brigade in the Dominion. He referred to the shortage of members during the war period and quoted the fact that the men of the old brigade had volunteered to act during the absence of others, at a time when Superintendent C. H. Chissell had been hard pressed to keep the Brigade nt effieic* it strength. He eulogised Superintendent Chissell's fine servics, and declared that he had the respcct of all members of the Brigade.

In reply Superintendent Chissell sai:l that the flattering remarks passed relative to the Brigade and himself should be confined to the men, to whom credit was due. There was not a better personnel in New Zealand, and he was proud to he associated with them. Referring to wartime troubles, ' the speaker said that probably the insurance people would have been uneasy had they known that the Brigade was at that time reduced to eight members. He had not been afraid, however, for he had the, backing of the older volunteers, and he appreciated the' way in which they had come to his aid. When proposing the health of the visitors from Dargaville, Mr A. D. .Jack said that it was not so long ago since there had been a feeling of antagonism between the two towns. He was glad that it was disappearing, as it would with better road facilities leading to more friendly competitions between various organisations in the two centres. Mr. R. E. Horn-blow expressed appreciation of the kind remarks passed relative to the members from Dargaville. As for the feeling of antagonism mentioned, he declared that the residents of Dargaville were the best matured people of all, and never had any troubles (laughter). However, he thanked the Board and the Brigade for the invitation sent to atten<J the opening of the Fire Station, but the election had been on and he regretted that he had not been able to get over on that occasion. He trusted that the present function would be repeated annually and that visits of the Brigades would be exchanged. Members of the Whangarei Board were congratulated upon the splendid station they had provided, for in com- | paiison with the population it was one I of the finest in New Zealand. As rafceI payers and public spirited men he believed that they could not do too much for men who braved risks and death to save property. It might be | a secret, bue he declared that there was a likelihood of the Board giving the Brigade a billard table. (Loud applause). If it was a secret, then his hearers could keep it to themselves. (Laughter). Mr Tlornblow declared that ho would like to stay over in I Whangarei a little longer, and he hoped that the gathering would be a forerunner to good feeling that would con--nec-t the two boroughs until Whangarei became a suburb of Dargaville. Mr G. Xe-ille proposed the toast of the Dargaville Fire Brigade. He understood that it was the first time tho two Brigades had met, but he felt sure that it would not be the last. Honours liad been even and it was a good opening for future contests. .Superintendent Haywfird returned thanks on behalf of his brigade for the way the competitions had been prepared. He hoped that the competitions would be continued.

Tlio presentation of medals and bars wins then made by the chairman. Two years' service bars were presented to the foMoSving, Making the completion of the teim. of service indicated: — Superintendent 'ChisscH', 21' years; Secretary Kccles, 21 years; Deputy Superintendent Beeston, 21 years; Foreman Fulljantos, 23 years; Fireman Marvin, 19 years; Fireman Trcmain, 17 years; Foreman F.'"Reynolds, 9 years; Fireman •T. Reynolds, 0 years. Fireman F. Eyles was presented with' « five years' medal «nd three years' service certificate, and Fireman Anderson with a three venrs' service certificate. Medals won at the competition were presented as follows:— One : man coupling eviopt, Gilbert Memorial Medal.—Fireman Frank -Street er, Whangarei. Coupling event, two men. —Superintendent Havward and Fireman McCiilly, Dargaville.

Hose and hydrant event (wet), two men dressing.—Firemen Jmnes and Anderson, Whangarei. Hos6 and hydrant event (wet), three men dressing. —Superintendent Hayward, Firemen McCully au.l NeildDargaville. Superintendent Chi. 1 sell then sprang: a surprise upon the chairman. He declared that it ujis a custom in the brigade to see thai they reciprocated! whenever anyone had done anything for them. "He ueclaroii,that. the.station* being an accomplished fact was duevery largely to the efforts of Mr Dent,. nd the b.ig.-.de had therefore decided' to mark their appreciation by asking" his acceptance of very handsome silver tea service and salver. The pre--sentation was made to the accompaniment of enthusiastic applause.

Mr Dent, ipn reply, raid that sometimes he got <1 surprise, but declared that he h;id never before had a bigger sh;'"'- 1 ' than had been given him bv the ru-e ' itatiou, as he had never heard hi"u ( f v.'hr.f was doing. He had" had a long period in public service, but he had never got anything out of it. Hebelieved that local government would never be any good os long as members in it had to be paid. H«e concluded' with very humorous anecdotes relative" to lii.s first and only efforts at buying a gold wiatcli and a racehorse. The" first he had never got and the latter had died before he got it home; and" it was not insured.

The toasts of "Local Bocfies" and' "Commercial Interests" were proposed hv Messrs H. C. Rish worth and T--7)lnir respective 1 ". The Mayor (Mr D„ A. McLean). the Mayor of Dargaville(Mr R. B. Horn blow) and Mr J. D. McTvenzie (chairman nf tho Whangarei Harbour Board) responded for theLocal Bodies and Mr D. W. Jack for the business community. Their remarks are dealt with elsewhere. Superintendent Chissell proposed the toast of the hosts—the Whangarei Pire Board. He acknowledged appreciation of the help given by old hands who had voluntceied for service, ancP therefore through their action the insurance companies were' not "let down" at all even at that time.

The chairman briefly expressed* thanks for the toast of the Board. Mr W. A. Carruth thanked the officials who took part in the demonstration that day and Also to the vocalists and instrumentalists who had contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. He suggested that the brigade should assist the Boy Scouts in their desire to earn the fireman's badge. It would' ultimately be of value to the brigade, as it would be an inducement to the lads to join the brigade later on.

During the evening a number of vocal and instrumental items of a high' ! standard wore contributed. The pro* gramme was as follows: —:So»g, "The Mighty Deep," Mr S. H. Price; song, "Nita Gitana," Mr S.. Blanshard; Waiata Society quartette, Messrs H. E. O. Smith, W, Caldcr, S. Blanshard and S. H. Price; song, "Hame o' Mine," Mr W. Caldcr; song, "When I was Twenty-one," and recitation, "The Hamilton Militiaman," Mr Magnus - Fraser; humorous song and recitation, Mr C. S. Clarke; songs, "A Ckip of the Old Block" "McNamara's Band" and "If I had my day," .Mr R. G-. Hosking; song, "Reefer Jack,'*" Mr B. O. Piper; and recitation, "Hie Aussie's V.C., by Mr H. C. RishwortTfi. Some splendid items wore contributed" by Mr Dobson's orchestra, and Mr (?• F. Collins played a number of pianoforte accompaniments. The concert was concluded with a vote of thank* to the chairman, and the singing of the Nhtional Anthen* and "Auld Lang Syne."