FIRE BRIGADE FORMED

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

FIRE BRIGADE FORMED

USEFUL SERVICE RENDERED. Although Okaiawa is but a small township there is a considerable amount of shop and house property subject to fire risk. To reduce that risk the idea of forming a fire brigade was suggested, and on March 29, 1926, a public meeting was held, Mr. A. Lees being voted to the chair. The formation of a fire brigade was unanimously decided upon and Mr E. Drake was appointed superintendent, Mr. W. G. Williams deputysuperintendent and Mr. J. C. Barclay secretary. Messrs. A. Lees, C. L. Kasper, G. Good and L. Houlahan were appointed members. The sum of £4O in donations was promised, and a reel and hose were obtained and practices held. An old fire bell was obtained from New Plymouth. . The following have been enrolled as voluntary firemen: Messrs. D. Blair, C. Blair, B. Barclay, K. Christiansen, L. Newman; The Hawera borough water mams pass through the township and a good pressure has been obtained by connecting a hydrant to the main. Already the brigade has rendered useful service in preventing conflagrations, and the value of property is considerably enhanced by the presence of an active brigade in the district. ~ , , A fire broke out in the blacksmith s shop near the hall and had _ not the flames been confined by the brigade the latter building might have been endangered. On another occasion one of Jolls lorries caught fire near the petrol pump and again the brigade saved a big fire.