FIRE ENGINE SMASH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17572, 24 June 1925, Page 7

FIRE ENGINE SMASH.

SYMPATHY OF BOARD. Sympathy with the relatives of Station Officer J. H. Noblett, who lost his life in the recent fire-engine smash, and with his comrades aboard the engine, all of whom were injured, was recorded at last night’s meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board. The chairman, Mr A. Williams, said that a week ago Christchurch experienced an accident such as never before happened in connection with the Fire Brigade, and which, in addition to causing the death of a member of the brigade, was so shocking that the remainder of the firemen on duty with the engine were removed to the hospital. The sympathy of the community went out to the relatives of the deceased, Station Officer J. 11. Noblett. who came to such an untimely end while in the* execution of duty on the night of June 15, when, as the result of a collision, the engine overturned, with the results stated. The funeral took place on Wednesday last at Bromley Cemetery. The vast number of firemen who attended the funeral, and also the great number of floral tributes received, bore testimony to the sorrow of the public generally. lie moved: “ That the Christchurch Fire Board expresses its deep sorrow at the untimely end of Station Officer J. 11. Noblett. who. while on duty and on the engine proceeding to a fire, lost his life through a collision with a motor-car, which caused the engine to overturn: and that a letter be sent to the mother of Station Officer J. 11. Noblett expressing the board's deep regret on the loss of such an esteemed officer, and sympathising with her in the very great bereavement sustained.” The motion was carried in silence. The chairman also moved: “ The board desires to express its very deep sympathy with Foreman F.obb,* Mechanic W. Low. Firemen A. J. Taylor, C. Walton. W. 11. Collett, and K. E. Downing, who sustained injury and shock ill the collision between a motor-car and a motor-chemical while proceeding to an alarm of fire on June 15. and trust they will soon be restored to their normal state of health." The motion was carried. The chairman said that numerous letters and telegrams of sympathy had been received from all parts of the Dominion and from many parts of the Commonwealth. The messages had been acknowledged and the Superintendent had sent a personal letter to the mother of the late Station Officer Noblett in Liverpool.