BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 23345, 1 November 1937, Page 4

BLUFF

CELEBRATION OF CENTENARY POSTPONEMENT DECIDED UPON A meeting of the Blxxff Centenary Committee was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday evening when the Mayor (Mi- J. H. Doyle) presided ovex- the following members: Messrs H. 1. Ferguson, D. E. S. Mason, J. D. Ballantyne, E. A. Nichol, A. E. Budd, F. H. Pearce, O. F. Metzgex- and C. H. Winter. The chairman expressed disappointment at the small attendance. Twentyfive members of the committee had received notices of the meeting, he said, but only three apologies for nonattendance were to hand. This showed an obvious lack of interest in the matter. After a general discussion it was decided to postpone the celebrations till 1940 when the national centenaiy would be observed. If, however, public interest is awakened the committee will be willing to hold the celebrations at an earlier date. A letter was read from the Commodore of H.M.S. Achilles in which the wiitei- stated that the vessel would arrive at Bluff on Monday, March 7, next year and remain till Thursday, March 10. It was decided to refer the letter to the School Committee, which may take advantage of the warship’s presence and arrange the school jubilee celebration accordingly. FIRE BRIGADE SOCIAL A function took place in the Fire Brigade Station when five-years’ service medals were presented to four members. The evening took the form of a smoke social, Superintendent W. Fanning presiding. In addition to brigade members there were a number of visitors present, including the Mayor (Mr J. H. Doyle), the Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., who was Mayor of Bluff at the time the present brigade was formed, Councillors A. E. Budd, O. F. Metzger, and J. T. Martin (members of the Borough Council’s Fire Brigade Committee), Mr T. West, sen. (an ex-super-'intendent of the brigade), the Town Clerk, Mr H. A. Ferguson, Messrs T. West, jun., W. Mathieson and W. Plank. A welcome was extended to the gathering by the chairman who expressed his pleasure at seeing so many visitors present who were interested in the welfare of the brigade. The presentation of service medals to Deputy-Superintendent Skeggs, Firemen F. Te Koeti and T. Driscoll and Driver W. Williamson was made at the invitation of the Mayor by the Hon. T. F. Doyle. The latter warmly congratulated the recipients on having completed five years of service. As one who, in association with Cr Budd and others, had helped to form the brigade he was naturally interested in the work and it was extremely pleasing to him to'note the progress made, Mr Doyle said. It was very satisfactory also to know that the brigade had developed into a highly efficient body. In returning thanks for the medals and remarks, the recipients stated that when they had first joined they had had no experience of brigade work and had felt doubtful of becoming proficient. The practices and duties had been very interesting and instructive, however, and they hoped to continue for a long time to come as members of the brigade. Besides the Loyal Toast the following were also honoured: “United Fire Brigades Association” (proposed by De-puty-Superintendent G. Skeggs and responded to by Driver Budd, who was local delegate to the last Fire Brigades’ Conference); “Bluff Borough Council” (Fireman Driscoll-The Mayor); “Bluff Fire Brigade” ’ (Mr H. A. FergusonSuperintendent Fanning); “The Standby Man” (Driver Williamson-Messrs Mathieson and Plank); “Parliament” (Driver A. E. Budd-the Hon. T. F. Doyle); “The Chairman” (the Hon. T. L". Doyle-Superintendent Fanning). The recipients of medals received sLicere congratulations from the Mayor, who also emphasized the good work done by the brigade and the confidence placed in it by the council and public. In replying to the toast of “Parliament, ’’ the Hon. T. F. Doyle interestingly traced the passage of a Bill through all stages, outlining the procedure from the time that public pressure made it necessary till it became law. During the evening items were given by Fireman Molloy, Secretary S. J. West. Foreman Te Koeti, Driver Budd, Messrs T. West, sen., W. Plank and T. West, jun.