A VETERAN VOLUNTEER FIREMAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 5 October 1907, Page 2

A VETERAN VOLUNTEER FIREMAN.

40 YEARS A BRIGADESMAN. PRESENTATION TO EXCAPTAIN WLMSETT. Tha members of the Nelson Volun- ' teel- I- ire Brigade assembled at the Central Firo Station last evening, and headed by the Garrison Band, marched to the Council Chamber, where a presentation of a gold watch, suitably inscribed, was made to ex-Captain T. Wimsett. The watch was subscribed to by citizens and the insurance companies as a mark of apreciation of exCaptain Wimsett's 40 yeais' collection with the Brigade. The presentation was made by lhe Mayor in the presence of a large assemblage of firemen and the general public. The Mayor said it gave him very great pleasure to make the picsentation. He had always liad a great res- . pect for the Brigade — a body which , endeavoured to ouench fire, and save - life, which was better than volunteeri ing to -destroy life. Captain Wimsett • had been for very many years Captain , of the Brigade, and for very many - more years he had been connected with - the Brigade. He was retiring full of i age and honours, having done his duty . -".-..-II to tHt? Brigade nnJ to the put>li.-, 5 and it was only right that the services r rendered should be acknowledged. The Mayor hoped Captaiii Wimsett would , live long to wear the watch. (ApE plause). i Three ringing cheers were given foi : Captaiii Wimsett. - In responding, Captain Wimsett cxi' pressed the pleasure it gave him tc 1 receive such a valuable present. What 5 he had dona for the public, he said, had been a pure labour of love. It had " been a pleasure to him to assist, with > his comrades, in times of distress. A '■ fireman's was an anxious duty, and he 1 was especially anxious to get quickly > to a fire, for the first minute at an out- ; break was worth an hour afterwards. Sympatheti ■ reference was made to the late GY.ptain Lightfcot, who had died ill hai .less, and other Captains of ' the Brigade. He felt that he was get- ! ting too old for the work. He had ] been risen from the ranks to the posi- [ tion of Captain, and he sincerely res- : pected and had a gieat love for his Brigade. Ho appreciated the turn-tout ' that evening of the members of the 1 Brigade, and of the Garrison Band. I He again thanked the Mayor and the . donors of the prsent fo it heir appreciation of his services. (Applause). As ex-Captain Wimsett left the 1 Council Chamber the- members of the | Fire Brigade gavo ti.-.-.'e more cheers , for their late chief. The Garrison Band played a number , rf marches ill the vicinity of the Mv- , nlcipal Buildings.