RICHMOND VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 10 September 1909, Page 2

RICHMOND VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL DINNER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The EichmondPirl Brigade held its the Institute Hall. About • i s and others sat dowa to an ,««^ cold collation, the chair being occu picd by Captain Wl** ,, and the t«* ' hail bj ' ,",£• C^ptl Woodward guests included Captain and members of the "Nelson £_«»". S Fittall, and E. Wilkes, and cheques from various friends were acknowleS'ain Wilkes proposed ''The King and Eoyal Family." The toast, was duly nonoured. Lieut. Webby proposed the Mayor and Borough Council." Mr Sheaf," the Mayor, on rising to respond, was greeted with applause He said there was a strong kindred feeling between the Borough Counc*l and the Fire Brigade; they were both working faithfully for the well-being of Eichmond. The great necessity was a good supply of water; they had had suffiolent to meet past needs; buj. an increased supply was under consideration. Probably another storage basin would meet their needs for many years. The subsidy granted td the Fire Brigade was not large; 'but it was limited by their necessities. The Borough was extending slowly; but the improvement was solid and permanent, and the Council was propared to meet growing demands with a view to future possibilities, The natural advantages of Richmond made it one of the gemg of tho Dominion, and they could look forward with confidence to a prosperous fuMr J. Hunt said that Richmond had been progressing well for the past four or five years, and building was still going on in various parts of the Borough. They should endeavour to keep the rates down. Mr W. Coleman said the water question was a big thing. Whatever is done, they should not increase the rates. If rates were kept dowr people would come out from Nolson to live in Eichmond, especially if a service train wero laid gn to land peopol in Nelson before 8 o'clock, aud bring them out again after 5, While Nelson had tinkered with tho water supply, and had not got what they paid for, Eichmond had received good value for money spent. Ho thought the state should grant capitation to Fire Brigades. Mr W. Hart said that more water , was needed. Tha -cfliyattuet'ibn of anothcy clam would necessitate a loan; but he thought fbey should secure another stream of water in the 1 gully lfnown aa ''Jimmy Leo's." With legard to beautifying the place, he would throw out what he thought was a useful hint: Citizens, should take portions of tbo borders of the Becreation Ground and plant and cultivato thorn; a healthy rivalry would spring up, and good results follow. The Council had to pay £12 yearly interest on. t}i„ nwrlgage. on 1 the property, and as the revenue from I it was only £\'&, they could not spend r more than thoy wore doing. , Mv T, Holland said that the CounI cil neoded more money if an additidni al water supply was to be provided.' ■Mr T. Bell said hj T""aq ihe youngest Councillor; but was impressed with | the proba'bili'ties and possibilities of j Richmond. Ho thought, fhey would at some future date find coal by boring. The Fij-e Brigade waa not adequately recognised by tho public; but they should not ask tho Government to subsidise them — they should levy a rate in the Borough for tho purpose, ' y."W Captaia Wilkes said that anothei reel was urgently needed. Tho old one, locally made, *-qd. stood the test of 20 yeurs' work, but another reel and hose were needed, and alao another fire station, " " r Mr W. Co'eman, junr., proposed : the 'Xelsqn Agricultural and Pastoral Association." | Mr Hunt, ihe President, said the I Association now had 400 members, 55 i having been added this roar. They i were looking forward 'to a record | show, \ Captain Wilkes proposed "The Nel- ( son Volnteer Fire Brigade." Captain Woodward held, a very responsible i position in Nelson, ivhich contained a ' larger proportion of wooden house? than many otii<>r cities; but It -had boon free from any serious fires ow- ' ing to tho efficiency of the Brigade. Captain Woodward said they' how had a much better water supply tha.n last year from the new waii-, which _;avo them a grand pressure. They could throw water over tho highest building In Nelson. Mr Wanstall proposed "Tho Visitors. ' ' Mr Buttle referred to the deeds of heroism performed by members of Fire Brigades, who acted in the same brave spirit, as soldiers, sailors, and miners, in their endeavour to save life and property. Messrs May and Kidd also replied. Dr Hamilton referred to the policy' of keeping down the rates. If that policy were pushed too far he would say, "God preserve Richmond." If thoy hoped to attract residents they must first supply the place with plenty of good water, and also good drainage. Fireman Strawbridge proposed the "Stoke Road Board." Mr W. Coleman said tho Stoke Road Board was a happy family. They watched the finances closely, so that they were able to draw a cheque running into threo figures to meet any emergency. Tho Board was in a sound position, and able to keep a credit balance in tho bank. He thought Fire Brigade's should bo supported out of the consolidated revenue. Mr Sheat proposed "Tho Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade.'.' He had watched the Brigade from its beginning. It had rendered good service jn protecting life ana property. Its members exhibited stalwart strength and self-sacrifice, combined with trained experience. j Captain Wilkes asid the Brigade had been in' existence 31 years. Only three honorary life members uow remained of the original force. They had now 16 strong, active men in the Brigade. There had been no fires during the past year; but th.y ha<? had three false alarms in two month*),

and 'he .considered that the despicable peoplo "who perpetrated these, and were so hard to ; saot'a, should be heavily fined. He hid pleasure In publicly thanking O'.ptaiu Woodward and members of U.e Nclson. Brigade who had . *._b*>eri_*.e<J -' the money to purcha.a a mclnl, which •"'.' was presented to him for five years'!., -_. rervice. This 'would be an oacouriigt*- ' ment to the Richmond Borougii Couheil to present similar medals 'to the members of the Brigade. Mr May proposed the Press. Ha referred to. the work of the Richmond Borough Council, and said they did all they could with" the small amount of money at their nomamnd. -But: tlie - growth of "the Borough necessitated greator expenditure; they should acquire pre-emptive rights over additional water. ' Large credit balances in public bodies were not good; work that -was needed should be done. If money was wanted, the people coming after us should pay their share of the -•- expense. With regard < to' rates, he was willing to pay more' If the Borough got .value for the money. The Borough Council should present, "the members of the- Brigade, with. .medals as a public and official recognition of their services. "-' -■-„'.' .' ■.' Mr Cowles, in responding for the - Press, referred to the : great Press "" Conference' in London as a most im-^ " portant gathering. It was the first v . time that, a Government had publicly recognised ..' the Press of the Empire in its position as the Fourth Estate,, sharing with King, - Lords, and. Com.mons the work of government,- ■ During. ; the evening - songs, etc.; were rendered by Mi'M. Franeols, Dr ' ' Hamilton,' 'foreman Andrews, Fireman. Mill, Mr Cameron; 'Fireman -tow-nan, . Messrs W. B. May, . HenaeMon'.^and - Croucher, and' musical "selections by '. : Messrs P_.rms (piano-, dailies (vioi Hn), and, -Kingsland (cornet). The following is the list of officers ' [ for the-: ensuing year:— <3apta.n, W. . E. Wilkes, re-elected; Lieutenant, a. Webby, re-elected; Foremen 1., R. [Andrews; TJ., A. Chapman, re-elect-^ : ed; UL, W. Coleman, „unr..; Score-'- --, tary, F. Stone, re-elected; Treasurer, s E. W. Cross, re-elocted. ' The National Anthem concluded &, very pleasant *"*i.hering. r .