FITZROY FIRE BRIGADE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144085, 2 May 1913, Page 7

FITZROY FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL RE-UNION, The annual re-union of the Fitzroy Fire Brigade was held on Thursday evening m the Fitzroy Town Hall, about /0 firemen and tneir guests sitting down to a prettily decorated tablu, plentilully supplied with good things to minister to the wants of the inner man. Superintendent i l ’. C. J. Bellringer presided, and opened the proceedings with the usual loyal toast, '‘The King/’ which was responded to enthusiastically. The next- toast on the list, ‘‘The bnited Fire Brigades’ Association,” was proposed by air. I. Area, who coupled with it the name of Superintendent Bellringer.

Superintendent E. 0. J. Bellringer, in responding to tho toast, said that on behalf of tho United Fire Brigade Association ho thanked them tor tho manner in which the toast had been received. Tho association was, he said, now the main governing body of the lire brigades in tho Dominion, it was much to tlie credit of a small suburb liko FHzroy., that they maintained such an oh'oetivc brigade as they possessed, which was a proof oi tho usefulness ot t!ic association, which was largely responsible for this state of things being possible. They had shown in tho late competitions which had been held in Now Plymouth that they were able to hold their own with the other and older brigades, for they had won prizes in open competition. These competitions were very useful, anil with tho assistance of tho Government ample opportunity was given them to keep in good trim for fire fighting. There was legislation now on the statute hooks dealing with lire brigade matters, and tho Fire Board helped in maintaining the brigades, which were thus put on a better financial looting than before and a rigid inspection was thus enabled to be kept/ By tho accident insurance now in force, provision was. made for injured men to be amply provided for, and there was now no need for any fireman to come to want, which was only fair in the case of men who gave their services freely and gratuitously. Next year at the conference to he held at Akaroa he hoped that Fitzroy would ho represented. The association honoured those who completed live years of service with a medal, and a man got some diploma from the time ho completed three years of service. Tho association was governed by some of tho best men in Now Zealand, who were always looking after tiic interests of tho men. Ho had always received tho greatest support from tho association. Mr. Percy White proposed the toast of tho Borough Council of Greater Now Plymouth, coupling the toast with tho names of the Fitzrov members, Messrs. J. Kibby and F. 11. Jackson. Referring to tho first-named having headed the poll, ho expressed tho hope that they would somo day go ono better and elect n Fitzroy Mayor of tho Greater Now Plymouth. ‘ Mr. J. Kibby thanked those present for the cordial way in which they had drunk tho toast of tho Borough Council. Ho felt pleased that Fitzroy had come out so well, and said ho hoped tho Borough Council representatives would in time have as good a record as the Fitzroy Fire Brigade had. Mr. F, H. Jackson considered that Fitzroy was certainly none tho worse for the amalgamation. So mb people had held different views on tho matter, but ho was confident that there was a good time coming for the town, and that Fitzroy would share in tho prosperity. it was gratifying to know that as Fitzroy members they had the confidence of the electors. (“Cant’ you make us a few promises?” “Promise us a new Town Hall,” came from the body of tbo hall.) “Well,” said Mr. Jackson, “I think I might see that you had somo now forms before next, year’s re-union.” The next toast, that of “Our Hosts,” was proposed by Superintendent Bellringer. The Fitzroy residents, he said, should feel proud of those who were giving their services gratuitously for tho preservation of life and property in the district. A strong brigade had been formed here, and had been well maintained, and that the brigade was thoroughly efficient was proved by the report of the Inspector-General, Mr. T. Hugo. Now that they had a Greater NoW Plymouth ho hoped that the same spirit would bo infused in the other districts and that small brigades would soon be formed in tho other suburbs of Vogeltown, Westown, and Moturoa. The speaker then paid a tribute to Captain F. O. Griffiths and the staff of officers belonging to the brigade. Concluding, he anticipated the probability of a new station being built this year. Messrs. R. Parkin, H. Joll, J. Kibby, W. M'lndoe, and A. C. Richards also spoke in complimentary terms of tho local brigade. Captain F. 0. Griffiths, in responding to the toast, said that he thankee! those present for the cordial manner in which they had received it. All were aware, he said, of the purpose for which they were banded together, and lie hoped that they would always in future do as they had tried to do in the past—their duty. Before the company dispersed tho Chairman said he had another toast to propose, that Of a man who was probably tho licet known of any in Eastern New Plymouth, and perhaps in the whole town. He still retained his genial smile, and kept at his post unmoved by tho shadow of the coining electric trams. Probably he would be found in tho new guise of a motorman, conductor, or ticket puncher when they arrived, and it was certainly np to the Borough Council to find some way of retaining his services on the Fitzroy route. Needless to say he referred to his old friend Mr. W. M’lndoe. The toast was received with acclamation and musical honours, and the recipient suitably responded. Other toasts were “The Performers,” responded to by Messrs. H. Moon and G M'lsaao and T. Frederick, and “The Press,” responded to by the Herald representative. During the evening songs and recitations were given by Messrs. J. Summerville, A. Courtney, W. Preece, H. Moon, ■ 6. M’lsaao, J. Lovell, F. Meiklo, J.'F. Leitch, P. Frederick, H. Brooks, H. Joll and Keys. Mr. P. Frederick presided at the piano. . A very pleasant evening was then brought "to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”