MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 July 1925, Page 6

MOTUEKA

FIRE BRIGADE ANNUAL DINNER,

the Muitieka Volunteer Fire Brigade annual dinner, held in the Motueka ILite. sample rooms on Thursday morning was probably the most, successful and best attended function in the annals of ' fib Brigade 'Among tlie 170 guests

present v.'i'iv i apis in S; *■ v. art an I i.eun from Nelson. Captain .Hrawbridge and to.mt 1 n.<; 11 Richmond, Ibe Mayor (Major 1) \Y. Talbot), Ex-Mayor (Mr ,1. A. AleG la.shin), councillors and prominent eit i/.ens of Motueka. Captain .1. King ncciipiiyH the chair. Apologies received from those unable to attend

were lead. After an excellent tlinriei had been partaken of and thoroughly enjoyed, a long feast list was eoinmenced by Captain King proposing The King. - Mi J. A. Met tlashen, in proposing the Army. Navy and Air Force, touched in the efficiency of the British Navy and its great protective work during the war, troops and provisions being transported across all seas, practical ly free from molestation by the enemy. Hofei cnee was made to the armies (British and Loluiiial) that fought so vaii anliy for tile freedom of the world. It was thought that the next war would be wages in the air and undoubtedly Britain would be prepared to face, this contingency.

Dr. Green in reply said lie bad been associated with the army lor five or six years. There was a spirit of comradeship which existed among the men. especially in the messes, which was not to be met with elsewhere. He could not speak personally of the navy, other than feeling '.he. sense of security when crossing the seas. He had come; in contact with the men of the air forces and found them splendid fellows.

The toast Motueka Borough Council was- proposed bv Mr H. Buckcmlge.

who remarked that- most of tts think liltio of local authorities until wo have to pay the rates. It was to the Council that the Fire Brigade had to look for help. Motueka bad done a good deal for their Brigade in that a good tiro lighting plant had been provided, and probably would do mure in the future.

In response the Mayor gave assurance that tlie Council was out for the best interests of the ratepayers and to make ever £ll do £1 worth of work. He did net say this in any way to disparage vvb.it previous Councils bad done. Reference was made to the antecedent, liability, and its effect on local bodies, and a comparison made of revenue collected during the past fifteen years and the corresponding overdraft. It was stated that owing to being involved in extra ex Dense of late, the Council bad been unable to purchase a larger plant for the Fire Brigade than they had at present — a Ford chassis and Dennis pump. The Mayor intimated that the Council was in hopes of procuring better chambers and rooms for the Blanket Society in ihe near future. He also referred to bis colleagues and their splendid co operation, and to the borough being singularly lucky in not having more destructive criticism thrown at it. The work of the Progress League in the province was spoken of and its efforts in connection with the Dunedin Exhibition. A suggestion was made that the borough should co-operate with Nelson in an endeavour to bring a section of the American fleet to Nelson. In conclusion, the Mayor promised that the Council would do its utmost with the ratepayers’ money. In toasting the Motueka Volunteei Fire Brigade, Mr J. A. Wallace said that one had only to' look around tho room and see the representatives from all parts of the district to ascertain how much the local Brigade was esteemed. The- first Brigade dinner was inaugurated thirteen years ago, and since had been looked upon as the foremost. function of the year. Mr Wallace humorously remarked that lie had heard it whispered that there was a deficiency of about £l7 between the, Brigade and the Council and, if this was correct, now was a golden opportunity for the city fathers to pay up. Captain King suitably responded to the toast; and the annual, report was read.

Tho toast Parliament was proposed by Mr Horatio Everett and replied to by Air G. \V. Boundy.

Fireman A. Canton proposed Honorary Members and Visiting Firemen, coupled with the names of T. 0. Chittenden and Captains Stewart and St raw - bridge. Mr Chittenden, on behalf of honorary members, spoke of the valuable work of the Fire Brigade, and asked if the Council would not put a fire place, in the station room for the comfort of the men.

Captain Stewart criticised the Council’s grant uf £25 per annum to the Fire Brigade, and remarked that they were easily worth £SO. In Nelson the funds for a dinner did not conic from the firemen, as jn Mctueka, but from the- general fund.

Captain Strawbridge spoke of the small towns where finance only permitted of volunteer fire brigades. He appealed to tho ratepayers to foster that

volunteer spirit to encourage firemen to remain mi mtiers. \oimitier hie tin guiles were inclined tv keep in the bark ground and not to make tlioir wants Known.

The Press was proposed by Dr. Green and respeudo 1 to by Mr G. \\ ■ Bonnily (Star) and Air B. V. Warren (Mail The final loast. Host and Hostess, " i-; proposed by Mr H Mattery and suitably replied to by Air F. Bovvers. Medals and serv ice bars were pi r-sen'. ed bv the Mayor:—Lt. D. Simp, >■::

(7 'rears) medal and bar. Foreman L. Koiling (5 years) medal; Captain ■!. King (13 years) bar; !.). IL Primmer (7 years) bar; Ex. Ft. A Canton (13 years) bar: Secretary Goodman (13 years) bar; Fireman D. Guudall (13 years) bar; Kx Secretary U. Wilkinson 1 1,5 vears) bar; Lx\ Captain E. A. Knapp (13 years) bar. Ex-Capt. Knapp's bar was handed to Captain King lor dispatch to Wellington, the .Mayor remarking that the bar represented not only 13 veins' service with the Brigade, bin aim service in the interest of the public. The bar would carry with it the best wishes of the people of Motueka. Throughout, il.e evening items wen given by Mr 0. A. Banner (piano), Mr t horp (songs), Mr Spencer Smith (song). Mr H. W. Stevens (recitations). Air At. A)ears (songs), Mr H. Everett (rccita lion). Air Jd. Hart (songs), .Messrs lb and T. Simpson (duets). Air S. Fry (song). The following telegram was rent ivod from Ex-Captain Knapp: "Best wishes. WoulA like to be with you tomighi.” The National Anthem and Auld Lang Sync brought a very happy evening to a cli.vie.

MUNICIPAL BAND .At the monthly meeting of the Borough Council held last week a deputation consisting of Messrs IJ. Holland and Crosdale was received from the Brass Baud re its destiny. Air ( ros 1 t;i Jo (bandmaster) explained bow the membership litul slowly dwindled owing to boys leaving the district, until it was now impossible to carry on. In tendering Ins resignation as bandmaster, Air CrosdaJ j assured the Council tiiat lie would still remain a member of the band. Mr Holland, secretary, stated that lie was leaving Alotueku in the near luture and in consequence would have to relinquish Ins duties. The hand had about £32 in the bank and lie wished tin know what was the proper thing to do. Cr. .Staples said it was advisable, in view of ttie fad that Air Holland was going away, and that Air Crosdale was resigning, to elect some responsible parly to take matters in hand. Resolved (the Mayor and Cr. YYratt) th.it Mr Urosdale’s resignation be accepted with regret. The Mayor suggested that the Council invite members 01 the old hand and intending members to come forward with a view to re-organising the band. Cr. .Smith thought a public meeting should be called, as desired by the old members.

Ct. Fry pointed out that a public meeting had been called some considerable time ago and a citizens' umimittei formed.

The -Mayor said he believed that- this was tlie case. After further discussion, on the motion of Crs. Wratt and Smith, it was decided to call a public meeting. Resolved (Crs. i-ry and Boves) that a sub-cominitiee, the Mayor and Cr. Staples, be appointed to confer with the citizens’ committee and officers of the band to ascertain the position in regard to instruments and other matters pertaining to the band ; and place before the public meeting any recommendations that they may have for thoroughly re-organising the band.

PROHIBITION LECTURE 011 Friday evening the, people, of .Motueka were, given a- spirited adderss by (Japt. Hawkins, who is touring the Dominion in tlie interests of National Prohibition.

The Mayor (Major D. W. Talbot) \va» in the chair. In introducing the speaker, he referred to Capt. Hawkins as a brother officer with whom he had always been on the best of terms, during the late crisis. lie also made, reference to the fact that his presence there thatevening was due to his sense of duly, not so much to any enthusiasm that ho had for the cause of the Alliance.. Business in relation to the Prohibition Party occupied the first part- of tln> ad dress proper. The Captain sai ( | the traffic was a parasite on legitimate, business. The fundamental law of business was to- get something for the money, but- all that, was obtained from handing money over the bar was a “sore head.” The much discussed matter of liberty was then brought forward. “The foundations of our liberty are our schools, our churches, and our universities, not booze,” said the speaker. “If the liberty of one meant the slavery of thotissands he (Captain Hawkins) would trample that liberty in the dust. “It would be difficult to find a family in New Zealand that has not been affected by the drink," said (be speaker. In every cemetery they could find graves of those whom the traffic had slain. Money, bub not speakers, could be easily obtained by the liquor supporters to cairy on their work. Apart from money, the old story of sly-grog m nolieense areas was brought forward to bring the work of the Alliance into disrepute. “But,” .said Captain Hawkins, “partial prohibition ,put up a magnificent record. It is not the no-license areas, but hotels themselves, that are the sly-grog shops.” The question of America, was dealt, with, and the. speaker finished with an urgent app_ea.l to support tho No-License cause. Mr P. -G. Molfatt proposed a vote of thanks and, when put to the meeting by the chairman, this was carried bv acclamation. The speaker, in reply, concluded by a vote of thanks to the chairman.