Fire Brigade Honours Members

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6076, 14 July 1947, Page 5

Fire Brigade Honours Members

PRESENTATIONS AT ANNUAL MEETING LONG SERVICE RECOGNISED

The annual meeting of the Cambridge Fire Brigade was held in the Fire Station on Wednesday evening. There was a representative attendance of past and present firemen. Secretary W. J, Osborne presented the financial report which was received with satisfaction. During the war years the brigade enjoyed little social activity and funds had accumulated accordingly. Attendances over the year had been moderate. Superintendent W. J. Harris and Fireman C. Boyce headed the rbll with 29 attendances out of a possible 30. ■Secretary Osborne was re-ejected for a further year. The federative Avas elected as follows: Superintendent W. Harris; jFirst ><sfficer'F: H. Green; Secretary Second Officer T. Steen; Fireman C. Boyce.

The resignation of Motorman H. L. Hooker from the position of motorman was . accepted with ■ regret. In promoting Fireman E. Ozich to the vacancy, Superintendent Harris referred to the responsibilities of the position, and the satisfaction he - felt in seeing a younger member coming forward.

During the social hour, which followed, the Superintendent reviewed the past year's activity. Fortunately there had been only five fire alarms and no serious loss. At the present time the Brigade was carrying on in difficult circumstances and the outbreak of a fire of any proportions during the night hours could have serious consequences. Nevertheless members were keen to v maintain as efficient a service as possible. Two members had leff during the year. Ex Foreman Thomason had resigned after 31 years service and Fireman R. Brunskill had transferred to Takapuna.

Service honours were presented as follows: First Officer F. H.Jfreen, two years' bar, completing Fireman T. Lyons, 2 yeai-s/W, completing 13 years; FirSmgfi H. L. Hooker, 2 years' bar, completing 11 years. There are 14 active members in the Brigade at present.. / A feature of the evejnng was the presentation of U.F.Mi. Life Membership Medals Foreman F. Thomason and ex Fireman K. Glenie. In accepting life membership of the Cambridge Brigade both men spoke of their happy associations with members whose spirit of .public duty and disregard of petty differences made their Fire Brigade days a grand memory to them.

A presentation of a handsome golf bag, suitably engraved, was made to Mr F. T. Ray, late secretary of the Fire Board. ' In making the presentation the superintendent spoke of Mr Ray's interest in the brigade during his 15 years of office. Mr Ray had proved an excellent man in assisting the brigade in matters which came before the board, and members had decided unanimously to show their appreciation.

Mr Ray, in replying, stated he felt very proud to be so honoured and stated that, though he had now relinquished office, he would always maintain his interest in Brigade activities.