NELSON FIRE BRIGADE.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14872, 21 September 1918, Page 3

NELSON FIRE BRIGADE.

' The fifty-second annual meeting of " tho Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade was " held at the station last night Captain ■ Woodward presiding over a, full attend- ■ ance of members. After the usual monthly business had been dealt with, Captain Woodward referred to the good work done by the brigade during the past year at tho cliti ferent fires that had occurred. Ho j spoke of tho good discipline that had prevailed, and gave the young members a few words of advice, coupled with tho hope that tho good name which the brigade had earned. might bo fully maintained in the future. Ho also cxi pressed hjs deep regret that he could ! not see his way to continue permanent11\ ,m j longer in command of tho brig- ■ ado. lie felt Uint- ho had reached an . ago when lie should retire from active . service. . j i Tho captain's announcement was re-;

ceived with general regret. It was mentioned that he had been a member of the brigade for 32 years, having joined it .in December, 1886. He h.id i risen from the rank of foreman to the :-position of captain, which he had held for eleven years. He had previously I served under icmr captains, namely, Captains • Lightfoot, Bii-cl, Kino; , and ; Wimsett He had been captain for a j longer period than any previous occuI pant of the.position, and he had earned I the respect of all tho members. Lieutenant Dec> spoke in feeling terms of Captain Woodward's good , qualities, and on behalf of the brigade ; asked him to reconsider his decision. 1 When it was found that this request 'could not be acceded.to Lieutenant Doc ' asked that Captain Woodward would at any. rate retain the- captaincy till the end of the year, to enable the brigade <to arrange, to fill the position. This

Captain Woodward consented to do. Treasurer E. J. "Hoivnsell also intimated that" ho wished to resign liis position as treasurer, having' completed over 25, years of office, and been a mem-i ber for 32 years, having joined the brigade- in August, 1886. [ Members made- appreciative reference to Treasurer Hounscll's faithful and valuable services, which, had helped so materially to enable thy brigade to make the best use of its iinances. Mr Hounsell also consented to remain' in office till the end of the year. All the other officers were re-elected to their respective positions for the ensuing year, as under:—l/ieutenant, A. Dee; foreman No. 1 reel, H. Stewart; foreman No. 2 reel, Joseph Nesbitt; foreman hook and ladder, W. Woodward; secretary, E. E. Boyes; lion, surgeon, Dr. Bett. Reference was made to the fact that 14 members of the brigade had already gone on active service. Two had laid down their lives, and.three had returned. It was hoped that before the nexb annual meeting all those now away in the Empire's cause would bo welcomed homo. A social gathering was then held, and those present included :» number of lil'o honorary mom'bers of tho brigade. Air V Li ley, one of the oldest "member.", who 155 over SO years of a«o, gave during tho t-vomasr sonic enjoyable selections on handbells. Various toasts, winch n-.<re interspersed with songs, were honoured.