ANNUAL DINNER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 24 September 1934, Page 7

ANNUAL DINNER

NELSON FIRE BRIGADE A VERY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION LAST IN THE OLD BUILDING The annual dinner of the Nelson. Five Brigade was licld in the fire station hall on Saturday evening, when there was an attendance’of about 60, including visiting firemen from Richmond and Motueka. Superintendent A. Bennett presided, and among those present were exCaptaiu A. E Dee (Nelson Fire Board), Mr 11. Atmoro, M.P., Captain A. Canton (Motueka), cx-Ca.pta.in W. Coleman and Lieut. M. Beach (Richmond), and ex-Captain H. Stewart. Tlie chairman welcomed those present and apologies'were read from Messrs W. J. Moffatt, E. R. Neale, A. MoArtney and Hutton (Fire Board members) and Captain G. Wilkes (Richmond). Lieutenant 0. Wilkinson (Motueka) proposed the toast to Parliament. He asked where was the value to-day of the ever-increasing production of the farmer. All were particularly interested in the function of Parliament, and he congratulated the Member for Nelson for taking up the cudgels on behalf of the people as a whole in an effort to see that the producer received an adequate return for his produce, and that the consumer had enough money with which to buy that produce. Mr Atmore thanked the proposer for the manner in which ho had proposed the toast, and those present for the way they had honoured it. Parliaments were constituted on the choice of the people, and if they were functioning in the interests of tho peoplo or not, it did not affect the importance of tho great national institution of Parliament, which was introduced first by Britain and handed on to all tho world. In every country it was the problem of abundanco which had to bo faced at the present time. Money was only a measure for raw material and human effort. “Don’t think that some of us who are not satisfied with present conditions are cranks,” he said. The Governor-Gene-ral, Lord Bledisloe, had said that the purchasing power of the people must be equal to the total value of the goods on the market, and he agreed with the Go-vernor-General's statement. Goods represented the real wealth of the people. It appeared that the Parliaments of the world were legislating in accordance with times of scarcity instead of dealing with the problem of abundance. Unemployment, the speaker described as unpaid leisure. He considered as the result of . the work now done .by machines, the time of the eight hour day had passed. The advantages brought by machines should benefit labour, but that had not yet been realised. People were still looking for tho work which was now done by machines. In conclusion he said it was the duty of all to see that the Parliament elected worked for the_ interests of all sections of tho community. WPRK OF THE U.F.B.A. Ex-Captain H. Stewart proposed the toast of the United Fire Brigades’ Association. _He said the association had been in existence for 76 years, and in that time it had achieved excellent

ff*l& work. One ex-captain of the Nelson -.Brigade had been president of the association, and the present Superintendent was going through the chairs, and he hoped it would lead to the second Nelsonian holding that high office. Captain A. Canton in reply said the association had done so much for the brigades that it deserved keen support. It helped in the efficiency of brigades by donations towards competitions. Incidentally Motueka would be represented at the demonstration in Nelson next month. Superintendent Bennett, a member of the executive of the U.F.8.A., added to the reply. He considered the Government could at least continue its grant of free railway travel for those attending demonstrations. On account of the withdrawal of that concession the demonstration had been temporarily discontinued, and this year the U.F.B.A. was making the grant which would enable the demonstration to bo held at Blenheim. He hoped all firemen would be loyal to the insurance scheme and to the association. NELSON FIRE BOARD Secretary H. M. Richardson proposed the toast of the Nelson Fire Board. He said it was two years since the board was instituted, and it had as yet not made very much progress, but 'he realised the difficulties with which it had had to contend. It had not been liie personal wish for the brigade to go under a board, though the brigade must progress with the times, but he did not think the time opportune for the change. However the board was endeavouring to do its best for the brigade, both in regard to equipment and general conditions. Mr Dee in reply said he was sorry Mr Moffatt, chairman of the board, could not attend on account of his indisposition, also that Mr Neale, the other local member, could not be present. He said the board was well constituted by men who were qualified to deal with all fire matters. It might appear that the board had accomplished little, but if he could tell a quarter of the difficulties and problems faced by the board the brigade would realise the position, especially in regard to the provision of the new engine and the new building, for the latter of which, he was pleased to say, tenders had now been called. By next week it was anticipated a tender would be accepted. The board had gained information in regard to the new station from well-equipped brigades, and the Wellington and Canterbury Superintendents had given valuable assistance. However they had met difficulties which had not been anticipated. The prepared plans had twice to be considerably amended to meet various l-equirements. He understood the feelings of regret on the part of the firemen to leave the old building, which had many pleasant associations, but he thought they would soon feel that they had benefited from the change of control. He himself had been opposed to the change formerly, hut had been converted. The brigade required many things which the council could not give, and now under the Fire Board he thought citizens would continue to anpreciate the work of the Nelson Brigade. VISITING FIREMEN Doputy-Superintendfent P. Westrupp proposed the toast to visiting firemen, the reply being in the hands of Captain Canton and ex-Captain Coleman. Mr Coleman said after 35 years’ experience in brigade work, he always felt that there was something more than the ordinary inside of a fireman’s jacket. He would shortly be retiring and he appealed to all young firemen to keep banded firmly together in order to continue their service to the country in saving life and property, and for the comrade-

ship gained by members of brigades. Lieutenant Wilkinson proposed the health of the Nelson Fire Brigade. He was pleased that the Nelson brigade would soon be in its new building. All liked to cherish the idea of volunteer work, and there was no reason for any change in that respect under the Fire Board. The Nelson brigade was looked on as the parent body in this district, and the Motueka brigade had to offer its thanks for the help given it from Nelson. Superintendent Bennett in reply thanked the proposer for his remarks which he took as a compliment to the Nelson brigade. No one was more pleased than the Fire Board to see the brigade have its functions and entertain visiting hrigadesmen. Under the board the conditions and the equipment would bo improved and greater efficiency would result. Mr Atmore proposed the toast to life honorary members, coupled with the names of ex-Foreman E. Woodward and ex-Lieut. J. Nesbit, both of whom replied. “Kindred sports” was proposed by ex-Lieut. Nesbit and replied to by Messrs E. A. Edwards and T. Austin. During the evening an enjoyable programme of items was presented by Messrs G. Harris (guitar and yodeiling), E. A. Edwards (songs), Fireman L. Ken- (song), G. Carpenter (recitation), Fireman B. Simpson (song), and ex-Foreman E. Woodward sang “Where tiie Prates Grow.” No brigade dinner would be complete, without this item which was very warmly received. Mr Clarrie Lee played the accompaniments. A very enjoyable and successful function concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Mrs Hockey asked that the meeting be told what had been done in the way of assistance with baby clothing asked for, and the president explained that help had been given to two necessitous cases in the way of blankets, groceries, etc. A very pleasing feature of the meeting was the presence of six Wakefield Institute ladies and one from Brigntwater, 'also the Women’s Division Provincial President (Mrs Forsyth). Mrs Thomas gave all a very hearty welcome and then called on Mrs Forsyth to address the meeting. Mrs Forsyth said it gave her great pleasure to see such a crowded room —sometimes it was necessary for her to visit a branch to. give a little courage, but her visit to Richmond was not for such ar purpose as she could see the work was extending with leaps and bounds, Mrs Forsyth then, outlined her visit to Wellington Conference, and at the conclusion was thanked for her address. Mrs Gloss (Wakefield Institute) also spoke, and said it had given the Wakefield ladies great pleasure to be present, and they had learned quite a lot through the visit. Two new members were enrolled, also two junior members were admitted. The branch will indeed welcome young members who are interested in this useful work. The roll-call was “a 6d surprise packet,” and Mesdames Malloch and F. Best had a busy time collecting same and then selling. The branch funds benefited to the extent of £1 5s 6d. Next month the roll-call is a book dr magazine for backblock or camp reading. There will also be a competition, article to be made from material to cost not more than Is.