HUNTERVILLE NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 200, 22 August 1944, Page 2

HUNTERVILLE NEWS

FIRE-FIGHTING SERVICE SCHEME FOR IMPROVEMENT (0.C.) Hunterville, Aug. 19. Further particulars of the scheme to improve the fire-fighting services throughout the Dominion, which was tentatively discussed at the Town Board meeting this week, are contained in a long circular letter from the Municipal Association. The pio posal is to utilise the fire-fighting plant and equipment procured by the Government for emergency purposes. "When the danger of enemy attack in New Zealand receded,” stated the Minister of Internal Affairs in a letter to the association, strong representations were made to the Government that, as an alternative to disposal overseas, a least a portion or the equipment purchased for emergency purposes should be. retained in New Zealand. The Government Jias now agreed that the plant and equipment should (under certain conditions) be made available for the general improvement of the fire service and the’protection of. Government, property.” The view of the controlling authorities throughout the Dominion was desired. The equipment would be made available tn local bodies on a permanent loan b?sis. one of the main conditions being that equipment and trainin'’ should b° standardised'so that at serious fires br ; - "ndes from neighbouring towns "hould co-onprate. A brigade, further. was not to be limited in its resnonsibilitv tn a certain town d : st r iot and finallv the control of brigades was to be vested in a committee on which th« lonp.i bodv was to be represented b’- three members. A special committee of the Town Board is at. present considering the proposals and it is anticipated that stens will be immed’atek- tak'v the schemn to nine-'' thp Inmi hri' T '‘de on sound nnd elfinimt basis The brigade itself is enthus’astically in favour of the scheme. GENERAL ITEMS

At the monthly meeting of the Girls’ Auxiliary or the P.W.M.U. Mrs. G. Snadden gave a talk on the work ot Hudson Taylor, of the China inland Mission. Mrs. A. W. Baxter presided and the greater portion of the evening was given over to hand-work for a mission stall to be held in the near future. On the eve of her departure from Hunterville to take up a teaching appointment in Taranaki, Miss J. Freeman was entertained by the W.W.S.A. and made the recipient of a presentation at the hands of Mrs. R. A. Gordon. Miss Freeman had been leader of the Signal Section right through the war emergency. Vocal solos were given by Miss N. Lound and competitions were won by Mrs. Raine and Miss Lound. Patriotic funds were augmented at a ”500” tournament held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. R. Haliburton •an Thursday ev/iing. Eleven tables were engaged and prizes went to Mrs. J. Dickie and Mr. E. W. Donovan. Consolation prizes were awarded to Mrs. J. Scallev and Mr. G. Shindler. The function was promoted bv the W.W.S.A.