RANGIORA NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18469, 22 May 1928, Page 15

RANGIORA NEWS.

VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE. The fifty-fourth annual meeting of the Fire Brigade was held last evening. Superintendent C. W. Tyler presiding The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs VV. A. Rowse), councillors and other citizens were present. The chairman referred to the loss the brigade had suffered by the death of Mr W. T. Wilson, a life member, who had a record of over thirty years of active service. A motion of sympathy with Mr Wilson’s relatives was carried. The report stated that fifteen mem bers had qualified for long-service honours. The brigade had responded to eleven calls during the year, and in all cases the outbreaks had been suppressed before any serious damage was done. Donations from firms and individuals aggregating £ll 11s were acknowledged. Through the efforts of Mr A. H. Palairet and Engineer A. Prest ney the brigade had procured a fullsized billiard table. Mr Palairet organised a concert which returned £lO 5s to the brigade funds and also further assisted by disposing of the old billiard table. The income for the year was £S2 16s Id, including £26 14s Id brought forward, and expenditure £63 19s 9d, leaving a credit balance of £lB 16s 4d. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—Senior foreman, P. H. Prestney; junior, P. J. Coates; motor branchmen, C. Prestney and T. Thompson; steamer branchmen, G. Greig and P. H. Watkins; assistant engineer, F. Jackson; committee, J. Skilling, T. Thompson, A. Prestney, P. Prestney, C. Prestney and J. Coates: auditor No. 1 account, Messrs D. R. Blake and C. I. Jennings; No. 2, Messrs W. Butters and W. Ford. The Mayoress, who was cordially wel corned by the chairman, presented the long service honours as follows:—Two years’ additional service gold bars to A. Prestney (completing twenty-seven years), two years’ silver bars to P. J. Coates (twenty-one years), C. W. Tyler and C. Prestney (nineteen years), E. Hills (fifteen years), O. J. Nelmes and C. Lindon (thirteen years), E. Rowe and F. Jackson (eleven years), G. Greig and E. Nelmes (seven years), three years’ certificates to H. D. Thompson and S. T. James. The chairman expressed warm appre ciation of the interest shown by the Mayoress in the brigade by her presence. Three cheers were given for her and she returned thanks. A donation of £2 2s was voted to the United Fire Brigades’ Association’s gold star fund, and a further sum of £1 13s 6d was subscribed in the room by burgesses. Engineer Prestney, on behalf of the gold star members, presented framed photographs of the - eleven gold star members to hang in the social room. It was decided to hold the annual church parade on June 10 at the Presbyterian Church and to invite the Mayor and councillors and the brass band to attend. A vote of thanks was passed to the Borough Council for interest shown in the brigade, the motion being acknowledged by the Mayor and Councillor Jennings. PERSONAL. The Rev C. Blair was a passenger last evening.to Wellington. He expects to return by Friday evening’s ferry steamer. FORESTERS’ BALL. Last year the local Foresters celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of their lodge with a ball. This proved so successful that it was decid

ed to make it an annual event, and this year’s function will take place in the Parish Hall to-morrow night. GIRLS' CLUB. There was an attendance of thirtyfive members at the last meeting of St John’s Girls’ Club, when Mrs C. Blair gave an interesting address on home nursing.