WELCOME FROM CITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 8

WELCOME FROM CITY

: WORK OF BRIGADES PRAISED SAVING OF HUMAN LIFE. - The delegates were welcomed by I Mr. W. J. Rogers, Mayor of Wa-nga- ■ nui, who said that the city was honL oured to be selected as the venue of such an important conference. The • United Fire Brigades Association of ; New Zealand, said Mr. Rogers, was - formed in 1878 with seven brigades '■ and in the intervening 58 years had ? grown until it had a membership of I 143 brigades. The lire brigades of - New Zealand were an efficient force i in the community in safeguarding » property and. what was more import- , ant, the life of the people. Too many ■ people were apt to take fire brigades ■ for granted. While the fire brigades had reached a high standard of efficiency it would ? be realised that the road was always . open for further improvements. It ■ would always be necessary for firemen to take steps to bring them- ■ selves into line with the latest methods of fire fighting. Mr. J. B. Cotterill, M.P. for Wanganui, endorsed the remarks of the , Mayor. The United Fire Brigades Association was a very important organisation as a force for the saving of life and property. As a member of the ; Eastown Railway Fire Brigade, he appreciated something of the work of the brigades and congratulated them on their good work. He felt sure that every brigadesman would benefit materially from the conference and the demonstrations. Mr. A. E. Halligan, chairman of tho Wanganui Fire Board and the committee responsible for the demonstra-' lions, also extended a welcome to the . delegates. Mr. G. Murch (town, clerk) and Mr. G. Nelson (secretary j of the demonstration committee) also added their welcomes. The annual report of the execution I was read by the senior vice-president, I Superintendent C. H. Carey (Patea)).| I Superintendent Sparle (Feilding).; I moved the adoption of the annual re- | port and congratulated the executive i on the good financial position of the | association. This was seconded by j Superintendent Melville (Kaponga) i land carried without discussion.