MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 18 July 1924, Page 5

MOTUEKA

.FIRE BRIGADE ANNUAL DINNER

The Motueka: Volunteer Eire Brigade annual dinner, held in the Post Office Hotel sample rooms on Tuesday evening, was probably tbe most enjoyable and successful function that the Brigade has over bad. Tbe attendance was a record one, over one hundred firemen and guests sitting down to dinner. Among those present were Captain Dee and team from Nelson, Captain StraWbridge and team from Richmond, Mr E. Bo,tee (past-president V.F.8.A.), His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. A.- McGlashen), Councillors and prominent citizens of Motueka. Captain A. Knapp occupied the chair. Apologies were received from the following who were unable to attend: Messrs R. P. Hudson, M.P., H. Saunders, A. I.- Manoy, W. Best, S. W. Street, C. Lowe, W. Bowers, 11. Smith, C. Green and Drs. Deck and Green. After a sumptuous repast bad been Partaken of and thoroutrhlv “njoyed, a loflg toast list was commenced by His Worship the Mayor proposing “The King.” Air Horatio Everett (Army, Navy and Air Force) tdUehed on tbe days when arm'Vs drawn front the populace were employed to defend a nation. "Now every country is fully armed arid alert. We are passing through the most, perilous period that has been experienced for many years, ” said th^’speaker. The motto to-day seems Id be- “to kill or be killed.” Brave deeds wrought on land and sea in the Great War" ate now history, but there .is not the slightest doubt that when the occasion arises the fighting spirit of the nation will again exert itself. Mr P. G. Craig suitably replied to the toast ,with a sprinkling of humour in Ids remarks.

Tn proposing the Motueka Volunteer Fire Brigade, Mr C', L. Jackson congratulated that body on the ag.y in which the members had held together under adverse conditions, and be expressed the hope that the disadvantages of the past would be forgotten' in the future, now that a new fire engjne was in sight-." No very serious conflagrations had occurred in Motueka, arid this, no doubt, said Mr Jackson, was due to the assiduous attentions of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. The problem of better insurance for injured firemen was referred to, and in conclusion the speak er remarked that the annual dinner always being such a success was an assurance of the esteem in which the Brigade was held by the citizens. Captain Knapp thanked the proposer for his kind'words and then read the following report:— “It is with very great pleasure I submit the 12th annual report of the workings of your Brigade. I am pleased to say we'have not had a very strenuous time so far as fires have been concerned, there being only two —Mr A. Taylor’s bulk store and motor truck shed, and Messrs Kelly and Calder’s buildings, which included the chemist shop of Mr C. B. Morris, engineer’s shop (Mr S. Mather), and the owner’s business offices. Both thesq fires, resulted in heavy losses to the owners. I might here mention that one of these buildings was not covered by a water pipe and the loss was much greater than it otherwise would have been. This shows the necessity of property owners co-operat-ing with our Council with a view to driving more pipes in suitable positions to cover buildings. Now for the most pleasing part of my report. The members of vour Brigade are more than pleased to know that at last our new fire fighting appliances are in sight. I can assure you that after twelve and a. half years'on our present ‘man-killer,’ to know we are going to get a power plant with which to carry on our work is most satisfactory. It will be well taken care of and all the pipes will be pumped out and put in good order, so that we can depend upon them giving us a good supply when needed. The plant consists of a Dennis pump, fitted to a motor truck, and with this we shall be able to get to the scene of fire in the shortest possible time anywhere in the borough. I would advise those residents who have been too far out to get any benefit from the old pump to get to work and have pipes driven if they want protection. There is not the slightest doubt that it is cheap insurance for we never know when fire is going to break out. ? No one will be more ready to come to vour assistance than the men in your 'Brigade. Our membership stands at its usual strength, and all work during the year has been earned out without friction in any way. I wish to thank the officers and men of the Brigade for their loyal support during the whole time I have occupied the position of captain, and also for again electing mo to the position for the ninth term. In conclusion and on behalf of my Brigade, 'I wish to thank all those who have given donations, and our honorary members who enable us to keep the funds of the Brigade in a very buoyant state.” “Local Bodies.” Mr J. A. Wallace spoke of the necessity of controlling, local conditions and of local (bodies being instituted for the benefit of all. He made reference, in this respect, to the willing service rendered free by the Fire Brigade for the safety of the public. ' f His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. A. McGlashen), replying, said that this was the tenth occasion on which be had replied to the toast of “Local Bodies” at the Fire Brigade dinner. He stated that finance had been the reason why a new fire engine Intel not been purchased before. The Borough was scattered and the CouneiK had 40 miles of road to keep in order on a six farthing rate. Ten years ago there was no electric light nor tar-sealed roads in the district. These now existed, and consequently something had to go short; in this case the Fire Brigade. One heard the remark, in some quarters, that the primary producer was adverse to getting a new fire engine, but this remark could be blown out, when it was considered that the personnel of the Brigade were ’ mainly primary producers, and a like statement could be applied to the members of the Council. The proposed road across the Moutero mudflat was also spoken of and how beneficial it would bo to the district as a whole. “U.F.B.A. and Visitors.” Lt. Canton said it gave him great pleasure to extend a welcome to the Nelson and the Richmond Brigades. Ho included the name of Mr Thomas McMahon.

Mr E. ißoyes replied on behalf of the U.F.B.A. Ho said he was a past president of tho U.F.8.A., and was proud of ft.' He was pleased to see that the Brigade was held, by the citizens of Motueka, in the esteem that was due to it. There were-now 120 brigades affiliated to the Association. Mr Boyce referred to Mr Gilberd, “the father of the Association,” aud continued to speak of what the Association had dona lbr brigades in tlie way of putting forward equipment, year by year, to combat fires more effectually. The Association was also a. means of drawing firemen together; whenever fireman met fireman the hand of welcome was extended. Tho Association also honoured those who had served 25 .years, by presenting them with gold stars. Air Boycs expressed the hope

that every member of the Motueka Brigade would live to receive that star. Captain Dee thanked Lieut. Canton for including flic Nelson Brigade in hia toast, and congratulated the Mayor on bringing forward the decision to supply the local brigade with a Dennis pump. ‘‘D will givo you great service,” said tbe speaker, “but I trust that you will never require its aid. 1 ' 3 Captain Deo then ref erred (o haring recently received first-hand knowledge of the use of chemicals, and instanced two fin-o in Nelson, when flic use of these (d gallon chemical containers) successfully extinguished the. fires. Ho remarked that these annual functions were a means of bringing the citizens together, when they could hear wliafc was necessary for their lire brigade. .Motueka. as a moving borough would soon require » high water pressure service.

Captain .Strawbridge, speaking on behalf of the Richmond Brigade, said that a water supply was the first consideration. He strongly advised that otic of the chemical containers, mentioned by Captain Dee. should bo .kept ready for use In every house. Mr Thomas McMahon suitably re* plied on bohnir of the, visitors. “Parliament,” Air C. !>. Morris, in pioposiug the toast-, made reference to the relative positions of the Upper and Lower Chambers. Me remarked that tlie average person did not interest himself sufficiently in politics.

Air Botmdy, in reply, said he did nob intend to delve into political arguments, but be believed, however, that each party had its aims, but with a common aim. The Dominion was singularly free of graft, and not subject to dissension.

“Primary Producers.” Air 11. Btiekeridgo referred to the farmer as the backbone of the country. V lion the farmer is prosperous the whole country is also in prosperity. Mr O. Wilkinson ably replied to the toast.

Fireman Goodall proposed the toast “Hon. Members and Supporters.” Mr O. Chittenden, in the course of Lis reply, touched on the need of giving the voltint-eer Fire Brigade every support possible. Air 11. Manoy proposed “Tbe .Press,” coupled with the names of Messrs G. W. Botmdy (Motueka Star) and B. V. Warren ('livening Mail). “Host and Hostess.” Mr J. C. Smith. The toast was suitably replied to by Air Jno. McCarthy. During the evening excellent vocal items were'rendered by the following; O A. Banner, “When the Gentle Breezes Blow’ ’and “Only Come down for the Day” ; Spencer Smith, “The Blues” ; C. Thorp, “My Ain Folk” and “Ros of Aly Heart” • Tlieo. Simpson, “On the Iload to Anywhere”; H. Hart, “Cock Robin” and “Farmers' Boy”; Horatio Everett, recitation; “llxe Scape Goat”; R. W. Stevens, recitation ; Stanley Fry, song; M. Mears, song (comic); H. Holland, “The Diver” ; D. Simpson, “Cuckoo.” Air A. O. Banner playe dthc accompaniments

Mr Wilkinson, on , behalf of the Brigade, thanked all those who had contributed so largely towards the enjoyment of the ervonjug. Tito function concluded with the singing of “Anld LangSyils” and the National Anthem.