NO BRIGADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23227, 22 December 1938, Page 13

NO BRIGADE

FIREMEN RESIGN TE PUKE DEADLOCK DISPUTE WITH COUNCIL ULTIMATUM TO MEETING [bt TELEGRAPH —OWN" TE PUKE, Wednesday 'Since noon yesterday the of Te Puke has been without the services of its .volunteer fire brigade. This was the result of the borough council refusing to accede to the brigade's demands at tho council's meeting. The following letter was handed to the town clerk while the council was in session:—"lt has come to the knowledge of my brigade * that the fenco enclosing the running track has been removed without consulting my brigade. We request that the same be replaced by noon on Tuesday, December 20, failing which the brigade will cease to function from that hour. We require a I reply by 9.30 to-night." The letter was signed by Mr. T. Hunter, secretary \ to the brigade, and the words "Noon, , December 20," were printed in capital 1 letters. Mr. W. Pilcher explained that the i running track was on borough propertv at the entrance to Jubilee Park. During the week-end there had been many cars parked there and two had collided. | with damage to their mudguards. He and Mr. Jamieson as members of tho - Parks Committee had conferred and j instructed the foreman to remove the : fence. Mayor's Comment The Mayor, Mr. B. Keyes, said the letter was couched in impertinent terms. 1 When Mr. J. T. Eccloton moved that I the letter should be received and that I no action be taken Mr. Sharp suggested that the council might be putting itself in an awkward position. He resented the tone of the letter as much as anyone, but he looked at the matter from a ratepayer's point of view. "Are we to.be dominated by tho brigade and let them take over tha borough?" asked Mr. Pilcher. Mr. Ryan suggested that no parking should be allowed within the park entrance. The town was just as full on Tuesday as during the week-end. but no one parked their cars on borough property on that day. "It is a question of who is to control the town," said the Mayor. Amendment Lost An amendment to the effect that the l'ence should not be replaced, but that parking should be prohibited within the entrance was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor. The motion that no action should be taken was then carried, the Mayor and Messrs. Eccleton and Pilcher voting in favour and Messrs. Ryau and Sharp against it. The sounding of the mid-day siren marked the resignation of the members of the brigade, several of whom have had more than 20 years' service. So far no call has been made for volunteers for a new brigade. Last evening at the fire station the 11 members of the brigade handed in and accounted for each item of their equipment. This was checked by Mr. W. O. Knight, electrical inspector for the borough of Te Puke. The uniforms and personal fire fighting gear were later loaded on to one of the borough trucks. Except for one fireman, who will not vacate the living quarters until tomorrow, the station was deserted tonight.