FIREMEN ON PARADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 54, 6 March 1939, Page 6

FIREMEN ON PARADE

ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH XISITIXG BRIGADES WELCO3IED The first official assembly of firemen in Wanganui to attend the New Zealand United Fire Brigades’ Conference and demonstration, took place yesterday morning, when some 500 men paraded and marched to church. A brief welcome was extended to visiting brigadesmen by the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr. W. J. Rogers, before the parade, which was escorted by four bands, moved off from the Central Fire Station, at the corner of Wilson and Guyton Streets. The secretary of the United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand, Captain T. J. Watts (Newmarket) welcomed the delegates and visitors on behalf of the executive. "We hope that your stay in the city will be a happy one,” said Mr. Rogers, “and that the purposes of your meeting here will be fully achieved. Headed by the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band and with the Salvation Army, Wellington Regimental and Queen Alexandra Bands interspersed, the parade marched via Wilson and Ridgway Streets to Victoria Avenue, and thence up the Avenue to the respective churches, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Wesleyan. Catholics on parade proceeded to St. Mary’s Church earlier, as time did not permit them to March. The Mayor of Wanganui. the chairman of the Wanganui Fire Board and of the Demonstration Committee (Mr. A. E. Halligan), Mr. Geo. Nelson, secretary of the Wanganui Committee, and the town clerk (Mr. Geo. Murch), paraded at the head of the procession. Legion of Frontiersmen were on duly and assisted jn the marshalling of the parade, which was in charge of Superintendent H. Bennett, Nelson. Much public interest was aroused in the parade and parking space for motorcars along the route was heavily taxed.