THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1929, Page 12

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

STRATFORD'S FIRST FIRE BRIGADE. REMINISCENCES OF LIFE MEMBERS Interesting reminiscences of the old fire-lighting (lays in Stratford were recalled o during the honouring of the toast of the life members of the Stratford 'Volunteer Fire Brigade, at Tuesday night’s annul dinner. Mr. C. S. Dunbar in proposing the toast reviewed the early conditions. Instead of tarred roads and modern machines, he said, firemen had to plough through muddy streets dragging an old manual pumping outfit. Sometimes Mr. A. (Sandy) Stewart appeared with a horse to assist the struggling men, but chiefly the journey to a fire was made on foot. The old brigade had been called as far as Ngaere and to Midh ii st to copc with the ravages- of bush fires, and it was from that worthy stock that the present volunteer force had-sprung. Five life members responded to the toast.. Air. G. Smart’s remarks, associated as they were, with the, birth and growth of Stratford, proved very interesting. He joined the fire-fighters 35 years ago under the leadership of Superintendent Hirschberg, one of the first bank managers. With the aid o'f Mr. Charlie. Curtis, who owned the first store on the banks of the Patea Rive), the brigade with voluntary labour erected a shed to house, its manual engine. That shed stood in Broadway on the site where Messrs belli Inger. Bros, are at present building a new twostoried concrete shop. The engine was purchased secondhand from Waitara and as many as 30 men were required to work the handles to maintain a sufficiently strong stream of water. Mr. Smart told of struggles in mud, encounters with stumps and unpleasant experiences in the darkness while on the way to or dealing with fires and paid a high tribute to the work of the late Captain Ki veil, who succeeded Superintendent Hirschberg. Others of the old brigade, Messrs. A. Stewart. A. Moon and T. Lawson, spoke of the early days of fire supression in Stratford and in Inglewood. TOPICS FROM ELTHAM. Arrange meats arc being made by the Eltham Progress League to provide the children of the town with Christmas •rifts as usual on Christmas Eve. It has been decided that the town should be canvassed for the purpose of providing cheer for the young folk, an object which in the past has always received eoi isid er abl e support . The Eltham Coif Club lias been advised by Air. H. Gibson That he intends to donate trophies to the club for a medal match of 30 holes to be played on handicap. The match will be played during the week-end of October 12, both rounds being played on the same day. An entertainment which should attract a great deal of attention will be held in the Eltham Town Hall ou October 11, when Air. Hubert Carter and his concert party will visit Eltham and give a concert in aid of the funds of the Eltham Lawn Tennis Club and the Presbyterian Church. As Air. Carter intends returning to England shortly t-liia will be Ills final appearance in Taranaki, and it is unnecessary, in view of his reputation as an artist, to suggest that his farewell performance will attract music lovers from many quarters.

K ING'S THE AT RE, STR AT FORD. “TEN'I'H AVENGE.” The ‘‘Tenth Avenue" is an intimate glimpse into the lives of real characters who live in that colourful section of New York known as “Hell’s Kitchen.” The story was written by one who knows his locale and the film was produced by experts in their respective, lines. “Tenth Avenue" deals with a girl who works in a department store all day and at night manages a rooming house for her dissipated mother. Two men love her—one, a card expert who becomes a playing card salesman, the other, a gangster who mends his ways and drives a taxi. In an endeavour to help her in an emergency, each resorts to his crooked ways and one of them commits a murder. On this cricumstauce is built a tremendously dramatic picture, filled with suspense and it with a vitality all motion picture, fans will appreciate. Three players of exceptional ability are featured in this fine picture production. They are Phyllis Haver, Victor Varcoui ami Joseph Schildkraut. THE VOLUNTEER SPIRIT. ENTIII'StASM AND EFFICIENCY. “Anyone who has attended the annual meetings of the brigade will realise that as a volunteer organisation its efficiency has reached a very high standard,” said Gr N B. Fletcher in responding to a toast at the Stratford Fire Brigade’s annual dinner. He went on to icfet to the fine spirit of volunteers, tracing the enthusiasm for the service to the fact that members took up theii duties because they liked the. routine and because they were thoroughly inteiested in the work. As a result, all pulled together and all sought to improve the usefulness of the brigade. Cr. P. Thomson touched upon the same subject. “There is no Question about it: where a body of men enter an organisation on a volunteer basis, there you are going to get enthusiasm and efficiency,” he said.' Recently, when the estimates for the Defence Department were before the House, he had not- , iced a member of Parliament speak somewhat disparagingly of the old volunteer forces, claiming that the efficiency of territorials under the compulsory service was on a far higher plane. This statement Mr. Thomson vigorously repudiated. As one who had served for some years as a volunteer he was in a position to know that those early enthusiasts made efficiency tneir watchword and possessed higher ideals of the service than was apparent nowadays. Later the Mayor (Mr. J, W. McMillan) tersely remarked that as long as the efficiency of the brigade, was maintained as in the past, Stratford did not want any tiling except the volunteer system.